What Will They Think of Next?

My husband went to the Department of Revenue yesterday to renew the truck and trailer tags. Now, this is a little truck and just a 5 X 8 trailer we use to haul livestock and hay and whatever needs hauling . . . This isn't, however; about the unbelievable wait, which frequently results in the opportunity to finally be at the window, only to discover some piece of the required paperwork is missing. This is about something that I cannot even Google to see when it became part of our biannual dreaded tradition we call vehicle registration and/or license renewal. As my husband sat at the table while I fixed dinner, he began reading the list of fees, we'd paid. Perhaps if we had a television, we wouldn't entertain ourselves in such a manner, but, I couldn't help but take note of a couple of items in the list. On both our truck and trailer receipts were charges for an agent fee. Since I can't find this specific code on the state.gov page and as I mentioned it was on both, I'm guessing the agent fee has something to do with collecting the fee. The truck had an addition fee for railroad crossing added to the regular traditional fee of registration for "beyond local." I don't know the percentage of the railroad crossing fee, but the percentage added for the agent is about 15%. The trailer, on the other hand, had no charge for railroad crossings, but there was a re-issuance fee for an embossed plate. We hadn't lost the other one, but the state changed the design, and apparently passed the expense on to us. The added fees to obtain and pay the required fees on the trailer amounted to more than 20% of the required registration fee. I believe America has officially surpassed both ancient Egypt and ancient Rome. Since licensing is required to be legally on the road, we have what appears to be Surcharges on Registration fees from the Department of Revenue . . . We paid our taxes on all this fun at the courthouse, same day. I can't even imagine a full itemized bureaucratic breakdown on that bill!
. . . that ye shall give the fifth part unto Pharaoh . . . Torah of Holy Scripture
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. New Testament

Moving Right Along

Joe Miller has determined that he will no longer contest the certification of Lisa Murkowski to the Senate, but; and it is a big but . . . he will continue the fight in federal court. I don't really care what Joe Miller does, but I find his followers absolutely hilarious in their convoluted logic. Just for the record, though, I thought it was the Tea Party that wanted more power to remain in the states, rather than federal rule over state matters . . . I guess that's just in certain cases where the state agrees with the one complaining.
In other news:
The housing market worsened. Let's see if I can gift wrap this as well as the government. House values continue to drop. The unemployment rate continues to hover around 10% and that doesn't count those that have already dropped off the roster or those that have taken two lesser paying part time jobs. Gold and silver continue to escalate and yet the recession ended a year and a half ago. All righty, then.
I heard that although spending was supposedly up this holiday season, Consumer confidence is down. Of course, I'm still expecting a revision on the boasted spending. I keep hearing the various explanations, but something just doesn't ring true. Could it be, we are being told what TPTB want us to believe? Surely not!
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. a Proverb of Holy Scripture

DADT

I have a certain opinion of gay rights. I think in a country that claims to be founded on freedom for all, but Bible based, there is an automatic conflict that will not be resolved, which is what has become conservative vs. liberal politics. The religious right want their rights and one of those rights appears to be, the right for everyone to live according to what they think is right. Now, the liberal politics are just as annoying. They want to be the nanny state and make everybody play nice, no winners, no losers, just everybody be different but the same. So, we have the manufactured paradox that cannot be settled politically, because both sides are wrong! Our nation was no more founded on Scripture than Iran or China. Both of those countries have laws against murder and theft, as well, and they have many stringent laws besides for which the consequence are grave, literally. Now, to get back to DADT, the real reason for my concern is not that I want to tell other people how to live, because in my humble opinion, G~D already has, but there is a bigger issue. Our military has been among the strongest and most feared in the world, but we have turned our soldier's existence into a political free for all that may have far reaching ramifications. We are in two wars in the Middle East and those Middle Easterners are pretty straight laced and straight forward about their feelings about being straight. So what happens when DADT is repealed and gay soldiers can serve openly. What happens if the gay soldier becomes a prisoner of war? How will they be treated? What happens if the various terrorizing enemies determine the US military personnel will all be treated as if they are gay? What will happen to the well being of those that are already thrust into harm's way? And what will happen to our military for those that don't want the repeal? What happens if 1/3 of our Marines don't reenlist? What happens to the soldiers that come out, when they are dealing with other soldiers that just don't like the idea, and that is a fact. For every person that thinks gay is okay, there are just as many who take issue with it. I didn't think women in a combat unit was a good idea either. Although I am a conscientious objector, I just truly think these men that believe they are to take up arms and defend the country are best left to not deal with politically correct issues under fire. I'm thinking, coming out, may entail more than anyone has really considered. If we are going to make laws contrary to the Word of G~D, asking HIM to bless the troops and bring victory is just a bit presumptuous, I'd say.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of YHVH our G~d. from a Psalm of Holy Scripture

What is the Actual Cost of the Food Bill?

I'm so disgusted by this lame duck Congress. First, they are giving the impression the side of power has already shifted, but it hasn't. Then they throw around a few issues and potential bills to distract us, while they pass laws that change our very existence. Oh, I know, I've read both sides of the pros and cons of this S.510 food bill, a.k.a. the Monsanto bill. Our lame duck Senate passed it and hopefully it has to go back through the lame duck House before it actually can become law. Unfortunately, it's well on it's way and from what I can read about it, this bill contains every power grab I've been warning against since I wrote "Threshold of Technocracy," which, by the way; is still available at the Website as well as amazon.com . . . Because there is more to come. I'm truly torn about all this. I'm so angry at our representatives for doing this, and yet it's been prophesied, so it's inevitable . . .
From the time I began writing this blog, calmed myself enough to attempt to finish this blog, this bill passed the House. It's all ready for a signature from the man living in the White House. I am so aggravated at this lame duck chicken outfit we call Congress.
What will become of our nation, as we give up our right, even to the food we put on our table? Although I've compared our nation to ancient Egypt, many times over in the past few years, we need to remember a few things. Most of us are already paying more taxes than were instituted through the famine. Most of us have gone into debt through the abundant years. Most of us don't have livestock or land to give in exchange for seed or a place to plant it. I'm guessing, just like the health care reform, we don't have a clue as to the actual cost of the Food Bill!
And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth. Torah of Holy Scripture

More of the Shell Game . . .

The Bush era tax-cuts have been extended for two more years and Unemployment for another year. The accounting technique for all these great "gimmes" is getting quite interesting. Everything is being explained to spread out over the next 10 years, so that should mean none of the people that are truly reaping the benefits will be alive to pay for it. Oh, I almost forgot, Social Security withholding is dropping two percent just for 2011, so rather than being broke by 2018, it should hit the liability column about the same year mandatory health care reaches it's full potential against the American people. Actually Social Security paid out more than it took in this year, 2010, first time since it's inception. So, although it's still operational, it's hit this point 8 years earlier than projected. Not to worry, though, I read Medicare will remain solvent until 2029, because of cost cuts through the health care reform. Sounds rather ominous to me. What I find interesting in all of this, if you can call it that, is the fact that we are being told that the President was out-bluffed by the presumed now powerful republicans. Hold on though, and you know I'm not a republican, but truth matters. This bill just went through the same Senate and same House that gave us the Health Care Reform. The newly elected shift in power isn't there yet! So, now the democrats and the President claim to have been out-powered by the republicans who are still in the minority? Just how does that work. I get so tired of our politicians acting like we the people are too stupid to realize what they are up to. This is the lame duck session of the same bunch that shoved three or four trillion dollars worth of mess down our collective throat for the last two years. Nancy is still the speaker of the House and the Senate is still primarily democrat, so although we are being told the paradigm of power has shifted, that hasn't yet happened and won't until January 3, 2011.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. New Testament

Obesity is a Threat to National Security?

According to Michelle Obama, that would be correct! Since one in four potential recruits is over weight, she didn't say how much, just not within the military guidelines, that is somehow supposed to threaten our national security in a volunteer military. Well, I might get my knickers in a knot if our public school system was in place for military preparation, but it isn't. Elementary school to military would be way to Nazi-ish Hitler youth, now, wouldn't it? I am glad that Michelle brought the subject to our attention, however. Since we now know that the government feels school meals are responsible for our nation's problem with weight, let's address a few of the issues that have been existing for decades now. Years ago, when I was in elementary school, the school lunch was obviously abundant in carbs, yet adhered to the square meal concept with the square containing four food groups. We always had fruit/vegetables, dairy, meat and grains. It was, as I said, high carb, but basically balanced for the information we had and the activities of kids for the time. I think Michelle is missing the point. Although the government has done a number of ridiculous changes to miss the real point of nutrition, the government is also missing the fact that most kids do not get the amount of exercise and activity that kids got in the 60's and 70's. Kids are so much more sedentary now and on top of that, the nutritional guidelines are no longer based upon four food groups from a square, but rather 6, from a pyramid. Clearly, the 60's and 70's produced plenty of soldiers for the Viet Nam draft, so it would seem the most logical perspective would be to eliminate the misnomer introduced through the Reagan years that ketchup is a vegetable, and rather than the government gaining more control; get back to the 4 basic food groups, no breakfast at school, certainly no
$4. something billion dollar dinners, and more activities for young people than strapped into a vehicle and sitting in a school desk all day.
Michelle Obama's mantra was supposed to be "get moving," not more government control for national security!
And G~D said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed . . . Torah of Holy Scripture

A Tribute to Elizabeth Edwards

Loss of a son. Loss of trust in marriage. Stoic strength. Gracious. A woman, regardless of party lines, we can all admire and many can identify with in some way, but for most of us, not in all ways; thank G~D. She was a type of Jackie Kennedy. The more I read about her, the more I think John Edwards is a bum, a true bum, but that is irrelevant now. The best excuse he could manage with all of his smooth political, legalese was, "she was in remission when I had my affair . . ." Well, then John, the rest of us think, perhaps you should have been making good memories with your wife and family when she was feeling better, eh? I am sorry for her grief in the loss of her son and I'm terribly sorry for the loss her young children will suffer in her death. Naturally, like most of America, I didn't know her personally, but I had seen her and read about her and watched her. I truly liked her style. I admired the way she handled her life stoically without headlines until, considering her public persona, an explanation simply had to be given. I can't help but wonder if the extensive hormone treatments for her menopausal babies could have had anything to do with her developing breast cancer. I mean we really don't know enough about the long term effects of these newly developed treatments and procedures. I couldn't believe as I read the articles about her passing and her funeral, I felt a personal pang of grief. I can't explain it, other than to say, it was like the loss of a friend, either distant or from the past. Elizabeth Edwards wasn't a personal friend and I doubt seriously that I would ever meet her, but it just seems that she's departed too quickly. I'm not second guessing G-D, just noticing someone with a name that everyone recognizes, isn't usually so touchable. Elizabeth Edwards touched many lives and I'm sure many of the social issues she addressed will be affected in a positive way for years to come. Although I'm sure she was concerned about leaving her two young children, I know there had to be a certain anticipation in the hope of seeing the son she had lost, once again.
I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. history of Holy Scripture

See Something, Say Something

America, with all the agencies we have to harass us to keep us safe, we are now being advised to be on the look out, ourselves. The campaign for self preservation is officially entitled: "See Something, Say Something;" and so I shall! First, I don't understand why Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security needed Walmart in the act. Why did the super retailer get the only mention? I'm sure there are many businesses that would want their customers to report suspicious situations or persons, but Janet Napolitano singled out Walmart as being concerned about Homeland Security! So, is Walmart now cozying up with government in ways no other retailer can? I'm sure the independents can't afford the price to be mentioned by Homeland Security, not to mention, many have more integrity than to take advantage of Americans in such a way. But what about the other retail chains? Is it a case of integrity, favortism, or lobby? I truly don't think it has anything to actually do with security and safety! I've believed for years that Walmart would usher us into the era of buying and selling according to the will of the beast and this is simply one step closer to confirming that for me. Won't be long til we have to be patted down to enter and leave the malls and SuperCenters. While we are being told we are still a Super Power, let me share this observation, just for what it's worth. We are the biggest consuming nation on the planet, we are over 12 trillion dollars in debt, and that's just what TPTB are telling us, so who knows what the bottom line really is. We appear to be afraid of our own shadow. Our volunteer military is stretched beyond any possible limits of adequacy. We are either afraid to get on an airplane without being stripped of dignity or we are afraid of those that are doing the stripping, but we are clearly afraid. So what about all of this tells any of us we are a Super Power? We are quickly becoming the Continent of Containment. If we listen to Janet and Walmart and become a nation of snitches. "See Something, Say Something" is nothing more than government sanctioned 'snitchery' and 'stool pigeonry.' Who knew, some day tattling would be defined as patriotism? Are we really willing to give up every shred of integrity to have our very own government render us captive for our own safety? Just how far will we go out of fear?
Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed . . . history in Holy Scripture

Quarantined Money and Wiki Leaks

Is anyone seeing how ridiculous we are beginning to look? First, more WikiLeaks indicate Saudi is actually supporting the Taliban and al Qaeda. Now, considering that country issued 15 out of 19 Passports for 9/11 terrorists, I must say, I'm not in the least bit surprised. What surprises me, is our government did nothing to bring any justice and doesn't appear to want us to know that! I realize the list of leaks is lengthy, but this is the one that caught my eye before I move on to the next calamity our government has accomplished. The $100 Bills that have been in design for nearly 10 years and began rolling off the presses, well, hold on. About a billion of them, give or take, have errors. That's right, after 10 years of planning, we have misprints. Although that does seem par for the course for our government's money management skills, it caught my attention from another perspective. First, the bills are supposedly being quarantined. How long does anyone think it will be before there are bad bills in circulation? Next, it's a billion bills . . . is there no one watching the process that can unplug a machine? Some bureaucrat just threw the switch and what went to break or vacation? Nobody in our vast government considered running a few test sheets? Next I read that this quarantined cash amounts to about 1/10 of our circulating currency, so get ready for more chips of plastic . . . or worse. I read that is would take 10 years to hand sort all the bad bills from the few good ones, but there is a machine that can do it in about a year. Why doesn't our government use this catastrophe for good? Why not employ about a million unemployed people to sort these bills? Perfect solution, new $100s and job creation, just what our government has promised! I'm not really a conspiranoid, but it is really pretty easy to see our government is doing it's best to keep us from information and while we are in this crazy recession that isn't easing, we'll just get rid of the cash, too. I heard early this morning that the Fed doesn't think our recession will double dip because the housing market and the unemployment is already too low to fall much farther. And here, we were told the recession ended over a year ago. Just what do TPTB really expect us to believe. I will tell you exactly what I believe. WikiLeaks has revealed the incredibly obvious about Saudi and $100B in bad cash is going to have an impact on our buying and selling!
And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. the Revelation

Way to Go!

All this great border patrol has finally accomplished something in Texas. A border patrol agent arrested Willie Nelson for possession of pot. Great! Border patrol can sniff out a few ounces of pot but can't manage to catch any full sized human beings running tons of drugs across the border. What makes this all the more outrageously offensive is the fact that Wille is 77 and still working. Willie Nelson is a senior citizen that is actually working and not bragging about how much he paid in. He's not whining about not getting his COLA. He's not looking for Medicare to fill in his donut hole . . . he's apparently self medicating. What a deal! And Texas wants to stick it to him. While we're in the middle of all this deficit stupidity, this country actually wants to take someone that has a steady job, and support them on tax dollars for two years in the poky. Of course, I'm sure they are already sizing up his belongings and planning to attributing his assets to drugs. Now I'm not from Texas and I can't think like they do there, but I'm guessing his assets have been bought and paid for by concerts and number one hits! Idiots, that's just all I can say! Our country goes out of it's way to look stupid these days. Drug cartels smuggling tons of drugs across our border and killing people and border patrol busts a senior citizen that really is a citizen and a working one at that . . . Why America, why?
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: a Proverb of Holy Scripture