Now That It's Government Motors

I understand the cash for clunker campaign is already running short of cash, with more clunkers to go. I'm rather surprised at the American public that doesn't mind tax dollars going on this project. And I'm really disappointed that the government couldn't have come up with this idea while General Motors and Chrysler were still afloat! Interesting idea now, don't you think? And why not have offered the stimulus money the same way they have the cash for clunkers? If TPTB are going to print money and legislate for our tax money to get thrown around, why not give it to the people? And what a lovely way to give the illusion that the economy is bouncing back? A surge of new car sales will look good in the data and stats for what a month or two? That's right, they had planned to go til November with this idea, then hoping the holiday sales rode them right on out the year. What a plan? But who is really going to come out on this deal. Ford has already advertised taking the cars back if you lose your job and what Chrysler dealers are left have new bosses, and GM is already government owned. So when the waive dies down, and the car payments are due, then what?
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. a Psalm of Holy Scripture

Correction on Yesterday's Blog

Although Michael Vick has been reinstated, he hasn't exactly been invited to a team, just yet. And so, he gets to join the practices and the offers may or may not come in from there. He's not yet 30, I'm guessing someone can find a way around someone else protesting. This is America, after all! We love our football and we certainly love our political feuding. Which leads me to the next political hot potato . . . Health Care. I find it fascinating that so many people are passing around the latest scare tactic via e-mail, when we've already been told Congress is going on vacation without passing the bill. And we already know it's President Obama's number one priority for Americans. So, the internet will be a buzz with everyone encouraging a.k.a. "trying to scare" their fellow citizens into voting differently in 2010 and 2012. Funny, I didn't get one single e-mail from these same people about how the USA Patriot Act was going to steal my freedom. When you think about it, if anyone does before they hit "Fw: Send;" the government doesn't protect my freedom, G~D does, and doctors don't heal, G~D does. So if it costs me 2% of my income to not be in the health care program and stand up for what I believe, so be it. The USA Patriot Act doesn't have any percentage allowed to opt out of that 1000 pages of craziness!
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. New Testament

Reinstatement for Vick

I find this particular headline interesting. He was released from federal prison just last week and the NFL has already said he could be reinstated with provisions. I am just waiting for PETA to protest football, now, but that isn't the point of my blog. Michael Vick had a very lucrative career in the NFL and still felt the need to make money both illegally and cruelly. He went to federal prison, will be on parole for 3 years or something and he's already been basically welcomed back to his old job! I've counseled people for years that have small legal scrapes that can't find a job. Now that unemployment is at an all time high, he's got a job and many folks that have actually been showing up to work to take care of their job don't. I can't help but wonder what would have been different, if Michael Vick had been just some ordinary guy that got busted for dog fighting and cruelty to animals. First, I'm guessing he would have had a much longer sentence and a much later opportunity for parole. I'm also guessing when he did get out, he'd be pounding the pavement quite awhile looking for work. We've got a real double standard here in America when it comes to employment opportunity and the criminal justice system in general. Must be why so many lawmakers didn't feel the need to pay their taxes until being investigated for a higher office.
A false balance is abomination to YHVH . . . a Proverb of Holy Scripture

CARS

I did a bit of research on this cash for clunker program from our government. Seems anything that is less than 25 years old and been legally on the road the past year sucking gasoline to the tune of less than 18 miles per gallon meets the criteria. I couldn't help but wonder about something else. Now that vehicles will not start without their computerized or chipped key, what a great way to truly control the people. We won't have to worry about the price of gasoline if somebody somewhere just hits the button that turns off everyone's key chip. And what a great way to get rid of the vehicles that do not have the "smart chip" or whatever it is. That's the other part of the deal. The dealers that take them in on trade will actually get the CA$H from the government, but the vehicles are to be crushed, not resold. Our government is going to eliminate all vehicles that are traded in, in this program. So, I'm guessing, once the license and registration data bank confirms all the chip free cars off the road, we'll be hearing the next part of the plan from the new Government Motors.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of YHVH our G~d. a Psalm of Holy Scripture

As An Outside Observer

I am neither Mormon nor gay, so I feel that I can give a completely unbiased opinion to the events that have unfolded in Salt Lake City. I have visited Salt Lake City, and enjoyed the Great Salt Lake, for what that is worth. Now, to the issue at hand. Two guys cut across Mormon "property" after leaving a concert and apparently got caught up in their moment and kissed. When the security guards asked them to stop their behavior and to leave, the situation became an "issue." I read that today there was a protest over the situation. I have a question and a comment and then I'll just leave the gay issue to those that have the issue.
What if 2 Mormon "brothers" or missionaries came into a gay bar on a Saturday night and insisted that their "views" be listened to and tolerated? What if, instead of a kiss, they handed out tracts? Wouldn't that be some sort of intolerance issue and anti-gay issue? If 2 Mormon "missionaries" insisted that everyone listen to their schpeel in the middle of the gay bar, wouldn't that be some sort of gay gripe-issue, also? As a person that is neither gay nor Mormon, it seems to me that there are more gay rights than religious freedoms . . .
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another . . . And even as they did not like to retain G~D in their knowledge, G~D gave them over to a reprobate mind . . . found in a letter to ancient Rome

Analysis

Not the psychological kind, although it seems many Americans may qualify. I'm talking about analyzing everyone else's motives and next steps. I guess it would be political and economic analysis. And since I don't plan to blog again until near the end of the week, I'm going to analyze or pseudo analyze just a couple of things in the news. First, the Sarah Palin resignation. Rush Limbaugh isn't talking yet. Oh, he's given her some coverage, but since she's a conservative, he's not going to dissect her non-reason answer that she said was her reasons! While I'm on Sarah, I think the best coverage she could manage and the most attention she can get is to go after the media using the media. You know, her own talk show or something, so she's out front every day, the spot light is on her, but she gets to choose the topic. You know, there's enough room for Rush and Sean in the conservative pundit camp, but would there be for two women. Can you see the proverbial cat fight between Sarah and Ann Coulter? Who would want to miss that?
Now to GM, which from the news report this morning is about to become Government Motors, co-owned by Canada and the US, bringing the two countries that much closer. Now, if this is what happens when government helps, what do you think will happen to health care? Does anyone really believe government involvement is only going to offer choices and assistance? When does more government really ever offer the people a choice? And how much does the assistance really cost in the long run? I'm not looking forward to a warranty on my vehicle backed by the government, I can't imagine trusting my body to Washington. So, will the US and Canada combine their efforts in providing health care, as well?
And so, with being said, I'm going to be offline for a couple of days.
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. the Preacher of Holy Scripture

Against my Better Judgment

The topic of this blog is Sarah Palin. That woman has never ceased to amaze me. She appears to love attention, she seems willing to go to any length to maintain the spot light, and yet while she wants all eyes upon her, she has rules! I have to admit, when I saw her parade her family before the NRC, I was less than impressed. The pregnant teen-age daughter accompanied by the "baby daddy" was just over the top! Especially if you claim to promote conservative family values. And I was less than impressed when I read about her "do or die" speech and travel itinerary the day her youngest son was born. Interesting anti-choice stand to take while taking every possible chance for a complication. I guess I just considered her to be pretty nonsensical and perhaps that explains why she doesn't understand the response she gets. She appeared to parade her kids like political props, but then said, kids should be off limits. Fine, leave the unwed father in Alaska for the convention. Don't parade the daughter that's not going to high school, then get her plastered on the front of People in a cap and gown, with baby. It just doesn't make sense to want the things Sarah Palin wants, both ways! And now, to avoid being a lame duck, she's resigning with some lame reason why it's good for the state of Alaska. Well, I would agree with her there. I do think Alaska will be just fine if Sarah goes home and tends to her family and her values. But you have to wonder if she's planning on spending time in the limelight heading for a 2012 campaign. Frankly, after seeing the way she does things, she doesn't seem to "work and play well with others." As easily offended as she is, and as confusing as her actions and answers have been, I don't think Sarah P has any business being very close to the red phone or the red button.
In all fairness to Sarah, maybe she's decided to spend some time home raising her children.
The aged women likewise . . . may teach the young women . . . New Testament

IOUs

I'm really amazed that our government continues to act as if it's business as usual. The state of California has officially issued IOUs that a couple of banks will honor until July 10th and as for those whose banks won't honor them, they can be redeemed or cashed or whatever October 2. I read that most of them are going to residents that have been awaiting their state income tax refund. Doesn't this just make you shake your head? Way back in the last century, the dollar didn't have a value of it's own, it merely represented the silver that backed it. It was 1965 that declared the dollar to be of value simply by the special paper it was written on. And checks were used to represent a dollar amount in the bank. And so today, we have IOU's to represent checks because there are no dollars to actually back the checks. And we have all realized there is nothing to back the dollars being printed in Washington. How soon will it be before the currency all gets changed again and reads something crazy like "backed by good faith credit" or something equally meaningless? I'm thinking this urgency to recreate our currency is over bigger issues than would be counterfeiters. In my game ECONAMOK, we also included IOUs for government use. And just like our game, the government doesn't have to accept them for payment of taxes, but the players all get them for various "acts of kindness" expressed by the government, like tax refunds and the like. I truly thought, two years ago, when I came up with this idea for the ECONAMOK game, it was a parody, not prophecy!
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches . . . New Testament