Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Is Big Brother Becoming a Bully?

I'd have to answer that question with a YES! You know, you just can't trust a bully and you never know who or what he's going to go after next. We are all aware of the cameras over the stop lights in many communities now. Remember what they were "originally" supposed to be for? Or at least what we were told. The cameras were supposed to be there for safety, for monitoring the traffic flow, so if the timing needed to be changed, it could be. Well, BB has come a long way baby. BB is short for Big Brother, as I'll be using it throughout the blog. In many cities, tickets can now be sent through the mail for running those red lights with cameras sitting over them. And once some of the cities have seen that revenue, more ideas have come to the table. Seems Red lights are making city government see "green!" An insurance company, an arm of BB says the camera at the intersection can also run the plates and uninsured motorists can be fined through the mail. So far, the only bright spot of BB becoming so big is there will be fewer Barney Bad-butt traffic cops. Obviously the importance of many laws is not for our protection, but rather for government revenue, which brings me to the next sign of bullying. Even with all the federal funding we the people are providing, and the federal government is offering to the states, it seems the states need more money. Through taxation is the plan. Trillions of dollars of debt into the next three generations just isn't enough. So they are going to tax, tax, tax. We will see the cigarette tax tomorrow, and Kentucky is thinking of hiking the price of bourbon with taxes. Don't need prohibition, who can afford the taxes in the recession? New York was at one time going to have a tax for everything, fat, thin, golf, skiing, you name it. I haven't read about a tax for breathing yet, but . . . give 'em time. I kind of chuckled when I read that the legal brothels in Nevada were considering adding a state tax per "transaction." This would change the tax laws from an actual purchase to taxing services. Then what's next? There's always been a difference on any bill between parts and labor, merchandise and service. Once they tax brothel transactions, it's just a matter of time before the doctor will add tax, the beautician will add tax, and the undertaker will add tax.
Then shall stand up in his estate a raiser of taxes in the glory of the kingdom: but within few days it shall be destroyed, neither in anger, nor in battle. a prophet of Holy Scripture

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Special Edition!

Well, it would appear that a certain Senator wants to offer the Newspapers some assistance, courtesy of the tax payers. This touches more than just my wallet. His plan is to offer a bail out to the newspapers, and allow them to go "non-profit." In order for any entity to gain "non-profit" status, they must abide by a few political rules. One is, they cannot endorse a particular candidate, and they have to watch the way certain views are expressed, as well as avoiding certain hot button politically correct issues. Basically, I would say, this Senator wants to eliminate the First Amendment. If the government can do to the newspapers what it did to religious organizations, our information will be silenced, except of course, what Big Brother wants us to think. Only the programing will get through this filter. So far, this Senator isn't garnering much support, but clearly it is on the table and the idea has been presented. It's only a matter of time until our Congress manages a way to reword it, or add it to some other bill and without any fanfare . . . the presses will be bound and gagged.
. . . and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen . . . history in Holy Scripture

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Peace

So often my perspective is rather negative in this blog and today I'm going for a more positive or at least a less negative post. It is, however; going to take me a few negative comments to get there. I was very disappointed in the re-election of Bill Clinton in 1996. I never did figure out how he got the backing of the Unions and the Teamsters when he signed NAFTA into being, not to mention how much outsourcing began to take place through his administration. Then there was the disappointment of the 2000 election. Not that I wanted Gore, I was truly hopeful that a third party could be elected in this new millennium, and that was the golden opportunity, but it simply didn't happen. Now the third parties are barely even holding enough political clout to be on the ballot. By 2004, I just thought America had decided to be dumb and aggressive for life, and completely unquestioningly loyal. It was through 2004, though, that I did notice the next plan, and sure enough, Barack Obama was on the national scene in no time. Now, I didn't vote for him, I'm completely unimpressed with his plan and direction, but he is the president and it is through his administration that I have come to peace with what America is and the fact I have no say about it. He has proposed a 3.6 Trillion Dollar budget, debt, whatever to pull us out of a recession, calling it an investment. "This budget is inseparable from this recovery because it is what lays the foundation for a secure and lasting prosperity," Obama said. Clearly this guy aced public speaking, but I don't know where he was for math class. I truly don't want anyone that doesn't know the difference between going into debt and investing to make my financial decisions, but he is. I appreciate the fact that republicans are now concerned about the debt we are leaving to our grandchildren, because they already know our grandchildren will still be paying for the Iraq war. I'm concerned that our "new owners" won't be so nice to us and I hate, simply hate the fact that our nation has continued to dig the debt hole deeper for the next generation, calling it progress, but all these guys know is what they were taught growing up. It's not easy, knowing, politicians cannot and will not make it better, but they will continue to exert authority over us. And so I am making the only choice I truly have control over, the choice to trust G~D and be at peace with that decision.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. a Prophet of Holy Scripture

Monday, March 23, 2009

Okay, This is the Solution . . .

I've never read about or heard so much confidence in every move that's made, and yet, more upon more continues to be needed. I think this economic solution of printing money and selling bonds to foreign nations is ridiculous. The only people that are not benefiting by this Obama plan are the same ones that did not benefit when Bush started the war in Iraq, the average American grandchild. We have the ultra rich maintaining and even some making money and of course, other countries are making money or at least holding something they can collect on, but not the average American and certainly not the average American's children and grandchildren. They are going to be paying for all these "sure fire fixes" long after we've all lived out a normal life expectancy. I am glad they are backing down on that 90% tax business, as we all know, our government's one time tax legislation never sunsets, it only expands to other levels. I'm amazed at the number of people that are still ignorantly trusting this new administration, as it has already spent as much as most of us were griping about Bush spending. Debt is debt, and forty years from now, nobody will care which side of the aisle caused the debt, the collection thereof, will be exacted by another sovereign power, anyway. Selling our debt to another nation, enslaves us, pure and simple. And while our government officials want to crack down on bankers and insurers for doing a lousy job and I would agree with their assessment, I have yet more assessment to offer. Our legislators aren't doing such a whiz bang job and they haven't been for several years. I think it's time to fire them all, stop the life long perks and get real people on Capitol Hill. We don't need all the money to campaign, the internet is cheap and we can get a grass roots movement happening. Let's get real people to Washington and get the current mess gone, along with their lobbyist buddies. I didn't like it when Nixon started making long range promises to China, I didn't like it when Clinton and Walmart sold us out to China. I didn't approve of Bush selling us out to Saudi oil and Iraq reconstruction, and I do not appreciate the man of hope and audacity selling us out to all of the above and turning Afghanistan and Pakistan into VietNam. Confidence in a proposal that really doesn't resolve the issue is just cockiness and arrogance. I didn't appreciate it all the other times it arrived at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and I don't appreciate it now. Our current President is confident in his ability to express and incite confidence in him!
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Thursday, March 19, 2009

the Death Penalty

I realize, we here in America, do not consider ourselves on the level of other nations in which the "heathens" execute in all sorts of unconscionable methods. I've heard a number of people get all up the air about the beheadings in the Middle Eastern countries, apparently forgetting about Henry VIII and let us not forget what the first Queen Elizabeth ordered done to her cousin Mary. The death penalty is hideous. Granted murder is hideous, which is what makes the death penalty such a paradox. As far as I know, only a nation that is a Bible based Theocracy has the G~D instructed right and responsibility to carry out the death penalty. America doesn't qualify any more than Saudi Arabia does. Now, the reason for this rant, is the headline I read today about the guy that started a couple of wildfires in California, in which five fire fighters lost their lives. I've served as chaplain to both fire and police departments and the loss of life by someone trying to protect others is particularly heart wrenching, so I understand the high level of emotion associated with this particular case. I would like to point out just a couple of facts regarding the death penalty, however. First degree murder must be proven to be premeditated, and if these fires were set where no human life was directly in the path, that would negate the premeditation factor. The fact that only the firefighters lost their lives, although tragic, pretty much proves these fires were not aimed in an area of human habitation. I read that three of them died trying to keep an unoccupied house from being destroyed, with two more dying later from that same situation, again indicates, although the fire may have been intentional, the deaths, were not. Considering the number of intentional murders committed in this country, every week, I find this just a point to ponder and question. Granted, I realize, I'm a bleeding heart on the subject of the death penalty, but even the staunch supports would be hard pressed to actually prove the deaths that took place as a result of this particular arson, to have been pre-meditated. If the capital punishment supporters are going to claim execution, to be their Biblical right, perhaps we should also consider cities of refuge for those that are slayers, without premeditation.
Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

New and Improved FDA and Health Care . . .

We can all expect our government to be right in the middle of our kitchen and our doctor's appointments! And is there a collective YAY? We are so rich here in America in the middle of a self-made recession, that our President is going to give us new and improved food tasters! We're all going to live like royalty and nothing will pass our lips without first being tested for goodness, and not to worry, if there are any problems, everyone will have government provided health care. I know I'm all excited about this. I don't go to doctors and I raise my own food. I'm not thrilled with the concept of food and drug czars telling me that aspartame is acceptable to ingest and genetically modified food is both delectable and healthy. And I really don't even want to deal with the insurance enforcement that will be appointed, once the universal health care arrives. I made up my mind a few years back, as all of this coming down the pike was becoming obvious, that I was going to at least give warning and offer an alternative. I told my husband, if it's up to me, our grandchildren will not receive a health care chip and they will not starve, and as for our kids that think we're idiots in the wilderness, I'll still make sure they get a package of seeds. It will be my religious and simple basic version of the TARP. Interestingly, my lifestyle which is now the alternative, was the original plan.
O taste and see that YHVH is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. a Psalm of Holy Scripture

Friday, March 13, 2009

Political Posturing

I believe that's what it's called when someone introduces something to see the reaction and response. Although they are vying for a position of leadership, this wannabe leader is actually looking for the signs from the crowd. The wannabe leader, without great risk to their personal aspirations, does what the crowd wants to see, or says what the crowd wants to hear . . . Kind of runs something up the flagpole to see who salutes, so to speak . . . Sarah Palin is the best example I can give regarding political posturing. She hit the hot button topic, "life" and ran with it every way she could, first and foremost as a conservative, then as a past forty mom with a special needs baby, right down to raising her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend to fame and "fortune" through the Republican National Convention, all because her daughter and he chose to practice unsafe sex. Now, is that just priceless or what? The same women that would gossip and point fingers in the local community, stood and applauded Bristol and her mom, standing behind her. I don't know why I'm so unimpressed, it really was a tactical feat and quite the political strategy. I know from personal experience, single teen age moms didn't used to get the support this one has. I told my husband when I saw the photo-ops, they weren't going to make it to a summer wedding. If Bristol and friend actually planned to marry, they would have before the baby came. I mean this is the party and thinking of: "shotgun weddings are atonement for fornication." And not that I am suggesting the solution from Torah, either, but it did get me thinking. In Bible times, when these unmarried women were "caught in the act of fornication or adultery," and pregnancy would be "caught," they were stoned. What happened to the unborn child? hmmm. . . Just one of those, I never thought about it deals. I find it the most curious, that it is usually, at least it was for me, those that did the proper thing and trapped some guy, tend to be the most judgmental toward a woman that just realizes her mistake and chooses to not "make it right" with another mistake. That is not to say, to choose to have the baby is a mistake, but rather, the circumstances and the other person involved are often a matter of poor judgment. I have no idea what I think of Bristol Palin, because I think she's been elevated to stardom for basically no reason, other than her mom needed a great prop at the time, and the pro-life crowd got all excited. I don't think they'll be quite so excited when they realize the "right and proper choice" has been called off. I am glad, and I do speak from experience, that through all of this, the young, single moms, are treated with more civility, but still that dropping out of school and teen-age motherhood have not become something to actually admire. And just out of curiosity, since Levi wasn't so excited, after all, big surprise!; and they weren't married, just who did foot the bill on this blessed event?
The integrity of the upright shall guide them . . . a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Fifty Days . . .

I knew this President was going to turn as soon as he got in, but I really didn't expect him to be so "in our face" about it. I'm really more unimpressed than I expected to be. There's just nothing like charisma going rancid, is there? And I'm going to ask again. Where's the "change?" So far the biggest change I've noticed is the change in him, between his campaign promises and his actual decisions as President. Funny, everything he's doing is exactly what he said was wrong with Washington. I was hoping it would take him a little longer to act like a Washington insider, but then again, I guess you don't get the address of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, you're not already an insider. You can't get "elected" if you actually do take a stand against political corruption and keep your campaign promises. This bill that he's signing is exactly what he said he was going to put an end to. Remember, he was going to end earmarks and political pork. We are supposed to know he means what he says, because he says this is the last time . . . Just one more thing he said, to get what he wanted and now "we the people, all have to understand, it's not going to happen overnight." Oh, I understand, all right. You know, I bet those little girls of his don't have their puppy, yet, either. I wondered that when he won after the election and suddenly the "choosing of the first dog, was going to take research" and apparently months. They could have had it and had it house broken and doing a few tricks, between November 4th and January 20th. I guess a guy that can make a promise to his kids and then stall on the delivery, isn't going to worry about what he promised a bunch of strangers that are stuck with this decision for four years.
. . . but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. New Testament

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

MADOFF

This will be a short blog today, because I just can't really elaborate. Seems Bernard Madoff will be pleading guilty and planning on spending the rest of his life in prison on some really huge charges! I don't understand why he's decided to do this, but perhaps his conscience finally got the best of him. I would think, he would have been able to drag this out in court for several years. And I can't imagine finding a jury that didn't already have some opinion of a Wall Street Financier living large at other's expense. Oh, that's right, they all do don't they? Well, I was kind of surprised to see that he had chosen this route, thinking he would have some high dollar Philadelphia lawyer managing to come up with a mistrial or acquittal or something, even though the evidence is overwhelming. Sometimes the incredibly obvious simply eludes us. I realized the correlation with Bernard Madoff's name, when this story broke.
He "made off" with how many fortunes?
Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:15

Monday, March 09, 2009

It's Only Money

The stimulus plan is doing just what I expected . . . absolutely nothing. The stock market is plummeting, the unemployment is rising, and President Obama says he "inherited" this mess. Well, NO President Obama did not inherit this mess. Granted President Bush authored a similar stimulus plan and undoubtedly, the economy has been tanking for some time, but my argument with President Obama is in the use of the word "inherit." He campaigned to have this position. He collected millions upon millions of hard earned tax dollars to have this position, to give away more millions upon millions of hard earned tax dollars. He spent two years of what should have been a Senate term, trying to get this position, only to resign his half completed Senate term. And now, the hard working Americans that have invested in America, rather than collect for themselves, like politicians are bearing the brunt of this mess and he has the audacity to cry, "he inherited this mess." Oh, no, Mr. President, you promised Hope for this mess. You said you recognized that this was a mess, and you said, you had a plan to resolve this mess. I, personally, don't want to hear any more whining about you and what you are up against. The American people have battled more than you could ever imagine and there are many hard working Americans that didn't deserve to lose their jobs and their savings and their retirement accounts, Mr. President. You see, your retirement account is nice and safe, Mr. President. And you don't have to worry about mortgage foreclosure, Mr. President. And you, Mr. President, have no more idea what it is to live the average American existence than the last President. But while we are on the subject, I would like to know how the Bush family investments are holding up in the stock market fluctuation. And I would like to know how the Clinton's cattle futures are doing. And it would be great if the Supreme Court and the Congress had some idea of what "we the people are going through" between imminent domain and outrageous taxation for bailouts for those that are too big to fail. As I see it, it's the American tax payer that someone should recognize and protect from failing, since it's the American tax payer that is making it possible for politicians to never have to actually put in an honest day's work.
If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? New Testament

Thursday, March 05, 2009

What Does The First Bipartisan Effort Mean to We The People?

Government health for all! Every time our government gets both sides of the aisle together on an issue, I know "we the people" are going to pay, and pay dearly. Our President wants us to have as good a health care system as Congress, and he wants all those that lose their jobs to have coverage. Maybe Congress just needs the same health coverage as the general population, and maybe members of Congress shouldn't be so confident in their employment security. I do know, our government is planning to "meet all our needs" and from the last two stimulus plans, our government also appears to be planning to create "all our needs." If this health plan comes to fruition by the end of the year, I shudder to think how quickly everyone will be required to receive their medical micro-chip. It probably won't be over night. The Department of Health and Human Resources and the Ad Council will need some time to design the delusion to convince the general trusting population that the medical chip isn't really the mark of the beast. Although, I do think children should receive the same quality of care that the elders in their families have "earned," it doesn't seem that the elderly want to share their socialized medicine with the younger generations, and as for those of us who do not want medical care at the hands of humans at all, I'm not looking forward to a mandatory, universal, socialized health system. I've truly found a better way!
And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of YHVH thy G~D, and wilt do that which is right in HIS sight, and wilt give ear to HIS commandments, and keep all HIS statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am YHVH that healeth thee.

Wednesday, March 04, 2009

The Definition of an Emergency

I've been particularly annoyed as of late over the requirements for 911 and since 9/11, and then today an event in the news just inspired me to go ahead a blog away. We looked at some land and made inquiry as to the cost and procedure for having a septic tank dug. The very first thing we were told was that a permit was required from the health department. I thought . . . and if we decide a septic tank isn't worth the bureaucratic red tape, isn't a privy or cess pool going to make a bigger health issue? I personally think all the emergency association with 911 is nothing more than a lack of faith and utter dependence upon TPTB, and one more way to track us. Look at all of the liberties we lost with USA Patriot Act. I realize there was a horrible calamity on September 11, 2001, but did we right any of the injustice by giving up liberty? I just think we have lost so much over security and safety, and I don't feel a bit more secure or safe. Then today, when I read a woman called 911 because McDonald's didn't have any mc'nuggets but wouldn't give her a refund, I decided, we are simply too dependent all together, and have no idea what a real emergency is. We are becoming a people that give up everything to have the illusion of safety and we are a people that complain over the least discomfort, and expect someone to fix it. And I love the fact that the police will respond to give a ticket, but it's getting rather difficult to get them to pursue thieves and vandals.
I would give up many conveniences for some true freedom and even a bit of so called safety and security, for liberty.
Therefore thus saith YHVH; Ye have not hearkened unto Me, in proclaiming liberty . . . A Prophet of Holy Scripture

Tuesday, March 03, 2009

I Think I'm Understand the Change, Now

First, there are more walking in lock step on the left than there ultimately were on the right. That's change! This new stimulus package is truly different from the one President Bush designed, and here are just a couple of differences. Each person working will receive an extra $12.00 on his paycheck, due to less withholding. Isn't that lovely, but I'm guessing the 1040's to be filed next year will not have changed, so anyone that didn't get at least a $400.00 refund on an individual return or $800.00 married, filing jointly, just may find themselves owing money. And what about the $250,000.00 income to define wealthy, regarding taxes being raised. I heard this morning, it's $75,000.00 for an individual and $150,000.00 for a married couple. Wow! A President whose campaign rhetoric was redefined after inauguration. Is this bold change or what! I remember one that said, "Read my lips" regarding taxes and sure enough, when he chose differently, it cost him the next election. Please keep that in mind, President Obama. Or, maybe we the people should keep that in mind. We seem to forget quickly, especially those on the extremes of either party. Now, here are some interesting facts as well. Those on unemployment will get a $25.00 a week raise, which is twice as much as those working. And the first $2400.00 of unemployment is tax exempt. It's beginning to look like those without employment may end up money ahead of those working. And those aspiring for success may realize, they need to set their sites lower, monetarily, to actually succeed. There was something about government employee pensions, but I didn't catch that particular promise. That's right, those promises will remain at least for a time, because according to our new President, he plans to hire on 3 to 4 more million government employees, to repair the infrastructure. Stimulus schimulus, everything is about to be redefined, right before our very eyes. I sure hope those open-minded lock step left supporters, see it before the faithful followers of the last administration.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Monday, March 02, 2009

The Cabinet is Just About Built

I read today that Kansas Governor, Kathleen Sebelius, has been tapped for HHS. This has me now, further into a theory. I don't think it's conspiranoid thinking, but I do think the agenda is being built, and I honestly have no idea who is a willing participant and who is an ignorant one, but the politicians are participating, none the less. Immediately when I read the headline about her probable appointment, the next line inferred that the abortion issue is about to become front and center, AGAIN! Now, I've been watching this mess go back and forth for over 30 years. Every time there is something big in the works being orchestrated behind the scenes, the politicians throw this controversy of life, out before the people. It's the biggy that nobody is going to do anything about, but it gets the people going! It's the most personal and passionate, political controversy in America. I've heard all sorts of outrageous arguments, both ways. I've heard the pro-choice people say it's the woman's body, and that may well be, but then when they start the extra terms between fertilized egg and baby, then I just turn it off. If it's a fertilized human egg in the womb, and it's splitting and growing, I don't care what terms someone introduces, it is a living organism, and to actively stop the growth, is to kill it. I'm not talking about the science projects in a petri dish in some fertility clinic, but genuinely conceived eggs in the womb. I've even heard pro-lifers say the social security system would be solvent, if it weren't for the abortions reducing the work force and tax payers. Granted, that is such a heart-warming self-less defense of life, but considering the unemployment rates right now, I'm not sure that no abortion would have saved social security. You know, if we just outlawed doctors, there would be no abortion, the years of collecting social security would not last so long, and there would be no medicare . . . just a thought. That's the politician that will get my vote!
Back to Kathleen. I'm thinking she'll get things stirred, she seems to take every opportunity to raise controversy. And as for Obama, his sweeping change turns out to just be giving more of the same, only it's more expensive. So, my thought for bigness in the works behind the scenes, once again builds on my theory that the politicians in both parties are really puppets of TPTB. So, my theory is, as Rush has now taken to the screen to organize the Republicans, and Obama will never gain bipartisan cooperation, and regardless of his cries that it didn't start on his watch, it will collapse on his watch, and we the people will be either crushed or be starting all over. This is the very reason the Republicans walked around picking their noses and scratchin' their behinds through the '08 campaign. They didn't want this term in office. Kathleen is just the girl to keep the political ping pong game going while the shell game gets more organized. Round and round it goes, where it stops, nobody knows.
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: a Proverb

Blog Archive