Republicans, with not just a little support from Democrats spooked in the last elections, are bent on extending the Bush tax cuts for everyone, the rich included. Given the deficit, which Republicans caused and are only now alarmed about, one has to wonder why we would cut off the only sensible way to reduce or eliminate the deficit.
Taking away my tax cuts will not have much effect. An increase in taxes means that I will not be able to buy a much needed car. If the tax cuts are extended, I will still not be able to buy the needed car. As for the rich, of course, there is no problem. With or without the tax cuts, they will still be able to buy a car.
The tax cuts made by Bush and Congress were really a bad idea from the start. They were done to boost the economy and did not work. They were also done to create jobs and that didn’t work either.
Growing up, my parents taught and constantly reminded me; when it comes to incurring debt, one has to pay the fiddler if one wants to dance. Shortly, I suspect, the fiddler is going to pack up his fiddle and leave us to dance in silence – if anyone feels like dancing.
Rather than allow congress to make sweeping cuts to entitlement programs and government services, more of us will feel like dancing if congress identifies what caused our deficit and eliminate it. From where I stand, that means we should stop the foolhardy wars we are engaged in and dismantle TARP.
Those measures alone will reduce the growth of the deficit and if we tighten belts by allowing the tax cut measure to expire, we should be able to eliminate the deficit and pay the fiddler; and, continue to dance on life.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Letter to Marco Rubio
Congratulations. You are now one of our senators from the great State of Florida.
I note you told us, during elections, one of your first priorities, when you reach the Senate, is to launch a bill to repeal the Health Care Reform Act. I did not vote for you, in the recent election, because of that declaration. You see, Senator Rubio, I am sixty-two years old, without health insurance, but had planned to see health insurance within the next two years or so under this new law. But, you are going to insure that I will not have health insurance. And remember, it is the nature of our representative form of government, even though I did not vote for you, you now represent me as well as those who voted for you.
I have only two requests to make of you, the first of which is that you actually read the Health Care Reform Act before you put forth your bill to repeal the act. Please make sure that it will actually destroy all things American if not repealed. If it merely reduces the profits of health insurance companies, who cares? Second, I would like for you to also introduce a bill which would eliminate all forms of health care coverage for members of Congress. Is it really right that you and your fellow congressmen and senators enjoy what is being denied the citizens of this Country?
I served this country in its Armed Services, did a stint as a law enforcement officer and as a public school teacher not long enough to ‘vest’ in any retirement system. I am currently unemployed and living day to day on social security at least, until such time, as that ‘entitlement’ is eliminated. I think I have earned the right or privilege to put the above requests to you. Will you consider them?
You need not reply directly – and, if you get caught up in the arrogance of your new found position – not at all. It would come as no surprise to me.
I note you told us, during elections, one of your first priorities, when you reach the Senate, is to launch a bill to repeal the Health Care Reform Act. I did not vote for you, in the recent election, because of that declaration. You see, Senator Rubio, I am sixty-two years old, without health insurance, but had planned to see health insurance within the next two years or so under this new law. But, you are going to insure that I will not have health insurance. And remember, it is the nature of our representative form of government, even though I did not vote for you, you now represent me as well as those who voted for you.
I have only two requests to make of you, the first of which is that you actually read the Health Care Reform Act before you put forth your bill to repeal the act. Please make sure that it will actually destroy all things American if not repealed. If it merely reduces the profits of health insurance companies, who cares? Second, I would like for you to also introduce a bill which would eliminate all forms of health care coverage for members of Congress. Is it really right that you and your fellow congressmen and senators enjoy what is being denied the citizens of this Country?
I served this country in its Armed Services, did a stint as a law enforcement officer and as a public school teacher not long enough to ‘vest’ in any retirement system. I am currently unemployed and living day to day on social security at least, until such time, as that ‘entitlement’ is eliminated. I think I have earned the right or privilege to put the above requests to you. Will you consider them?
You need not reply directly – and, if you get caught up in the arrogance of your new found position – not at all. It would come as no surprise to me.
Throwing In the Towel
Cut to the chase, is what I say. Let’s amend the Constitution so as to allow Senators, Representatives and, what the hell, even Presidents to be elected for life. That way, we could avoid this ridiculous rite called elections. We would get our TV back without those annoying political ads. We would save bundles of money currently being wasted on ‘air’ and bring back a little serenity.
All politicians are primarily concerned with being reelected – if they don’t have to worry about reelection, they might be able to focus on doing a better job of running the country. Most politicians get reelected making periodic elections fruitless anyway. In fact, these ‘for life’ salons might wax towards making wise and philosophical statements for us to digest going forward rather than pander to ignorant masses simply to get reelected.
Elections for life would also save Americans a lot of money. Salaries, for those elected for life, should be put at $1.00 per year. America’s corporations should (and already do) pick up the tab for politicians’ services. After all, what’s good for Wall Street is good for the USA. It must be or we would not have put up so much bailout monies last year.
Best part of all – since these salons gain their job for life, they will be able to make decisions for America rather than fight for pork for their home state. Imagine, a Florida Representative killing a bill for a new railway in Florida simply because it doesn’t make sense to put the rail in. You know – it could happen. And somewhere down the line, I promise you, no more political parties – they will not be needed.
We have just had an election where most Democrats have been tossed out on their asses. A few years down the road, the Democrats will get together and toss all the Republicans out on their asses. This swinging back and forth, going no where, seems a little foolish to me and if we go with elections for life, we will not have to swing so much. I’m ready to get off the swing, sit at the picnic table and have a beer.
All politicians are primarily concerned with being reelected – if they don’t have to worry about reelection, they might be able to focus on doing a better job of running the country. Most politicians get reelected making periodic elections fruitless anyway. In fact, these ‘for life’ salons might wax towards making wise and philosophical statements for us to digest going forward rather than pander to ignorant masses simply to get reelected.
Elections for life would also save Americans a lot of money. Salaries, for those elected for life, should be put at $1.00 per year. America’s corporations should (and already do) pick up the tab for politicians’ services. After all, what’s good for Wall Street is good for the USA. It must be or we would not have put up so much bailout monies last year.
Best part of all – since these salons gain their job for life, they will be able to make decisions for America rather than fight for pork for their home state. Imagine, a Florida Representative killing a bill for a new railway in Florida simply because it doesn’t make sense to put the rail in. You know – it could happen. And somewhere down the line, I promise you, no more political parties – they will not be needed.
We have just had an election where most Democrats have been tossed out on their asses. A few years down the road, the Democrats will get together and toss all the Republicans out on their asses. This swinging back and forth, going no where, seems a little foolish to me and if we go with elections for life, we will not have to swing so much. I’m ready to get off the swing, sit at the picnic table and have a beer.
Politicians Are Comedians
It was Will Rogers who said that “[e]verything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.” I propose he was repeating what he had read in a fortune cookie in the 1930’s predicting our current state of affairs.
We’ve an incredibly hilarious ticket to vote on in Florida’s governor’s race this year. We have a former CEO of the nation’s largest health care provider, Rick Scott, who, after he led his company through a settlement of $1.7 billion dollars as against a Medicare Fraud complaint, seeks our vote to let him ‘go to work’ for the State of Florida. Who is he going to defraud this go-around? Better, his opponent, a woman with a man’s name, (only in Florida), Alex Sink, is vying for Governor. She claims unassailable, though enthusiastically assailed, credentials as a Banker. Bankers, of course, are those people who make money off other people’s money. Who is she going to make money off of and for whom?
It gets better. We’ve also an opportunity to vote for a new U.S. Senator. We have Marco Rubio (who obviously was bereft of maternal love or he would have been named “Mark”), who is our GQ, (excuse me, “GOP”) candidate. He was groomed to secure the feminine Republican vote (remember GWB’s photo posed in Navy flight gear used to titillate Republican female voters?). He espouses Limbaughesque dribble about cutting taxes, cutting government, cutting social security (oops, saving social security, until after elections), and saving America for the few, (oops, for the many, until after elections). We also have Mr. Meeks, who, despite his name, is bravely advocating whatever and whenever. He has no specific plans other than to oppose plans of Republicans (if ever they actually come up with plans). And, in the muddled middle, we have good ole’ Charlie. Charlie Crist gives us that Florida smile, framed by a Florida tan, and says what most of Florida wants to hear with as much clarity as we receive from our Rice Krispy’s each morning. Remember, it was Charlie who left the GOP in order to exercise sound judgment. (Maybe he has something there.)
One would think Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity has merit, given the current morass of asses vying for our votes. Stay the course, Jon, and remember: it was Will Rogers who observed, “[i]t’s easy to be a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.”
Did you know, the word ‘idiot’ comes from the Greek word ‘idiotes’ which was used to denote those who did not vote? In order to avoid the stigma of being an idiot (original definition), I intend to vote. But, I am not going to be the idiot (current usage) who votes for anyone of the above – instead, I think I will write in a vote for Jimmy Buffett for Governor. That son-of-a-sailor has assured us that he is neither a “lawyer, a thief or a banker.” As for Senator, I will write in a vote for Leroy LNU. I don’t know who he is, and it is doubtful he will ever be found, if elected; and his absence from the halls of Congress will be noticed not.
We’ve an incredibly hilarious ticket to vote on in Florida’s governor’s race this year. We have a former CEO of the nation’s largest health care provider, Rick Scott, who, after he led his company through a settlement of $1.7 billion dollars as against a Medicare Fraud complaint, seeks our vote to let him ‘go to work’ for the State of Florida. Who is he going to defraud this go-around? Better, his opponent, a woman with a man’s name, (only in Florida), Alex Sink, is vying for Governor. She claims unassailable, though enthusiastically assailed, credentials as a Banker. Bankers, of course, are those people who make money off other people’s money. Who is she going to make money off of and for whom?
It gets better. We’ve also an opportunity to vote for a new U.S. Senator. We have Marco Rubio (who obviously was bereft of maternal love or he would have been named “Mark”), who is our GQ, (excuse me, “GOP”) candidate. He was groomed to secure the feminine Republican vote (remember GWB’s photo posed in Navy flight gear used to titillate Republican female voters?). He espouses Limbaughesque dribble about cutting taxes, cutting government, cutting social security (oops, saving social security, until after elections), and saving America for the few, (oops, for the many, until after elections). We also have Mr. Meeks, who, despite his name, is bravely advocating whatever and whenever. He has no specific plans other than to oppose plans of Republicans (if ever they actually come up with plans). And, in the muddled middle, we have good ole’ Charlie. Charlie Crist gives us that Florida smile, framed by a Florida tan, and says what most of Florida wants to hear with as much clarity as we receive from our Rice Krispy’s each morning. Remember, it was Charlie who left the GOP in order to exercise sound judgment. (Maybe he has something there.)
One would think Jon Stewart’s Rally to Restore Sanity has merit, given the current morass of asses vying for our votes. Stay the course, Jon, and remember: it was Will Rogers who observed, “[i]t’s easy to be a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.”
Did you know, the word ‘idiot’ comes from the Greek word ‘idiotes’ which was used to denote those who did not vote? In order to avoid the stigma of being an idiot (original definition), I intend to vote. But, I am not going to be the idiot (current usage) who votes for anyone of the above – instead, I think I will write in a vote for Jimmy Buffett for Governor. That son-of-a-sailor has assured us that he is neither a “lawyer, a thief or a banker.” As for Senator, I will write in a vote for Leroy LNU. I don’t know who he is, and it is doubtful he will ever be found, if elected; and his absence from the halls of Congress will be noticed not.
Rick Scott
Rick Scott wants to be our Governor. I perused his website just to make sure that some of the news reports I’ve heard were accurate. Sure enough, Rick Scott wants to run the State of Florida like a business. And, that concerns me. First, businesses either make products to sell for a profit or provide services for profit. I don’t look to the state government to do either. The state has no ‘business’ making a profit off its citizens even if there was a way to do so. Moreover, a government renders a limited number of services without competition from anyone – or at least, it should. So, I’m not much convinced that his plan to run the state government as a business is a very good one. A government should be run as a government fully accountable to the electorate.
Rick Scott also wants us to assume that he became a more astute businessman, and therefore a better gubernatorial candidate, because he was ousted as CEO from Columbia/HCA following the $1.7 billion fraud claim settlement. I’ve got to wonder exactly what lessons he learned as set forth in his website claim. He obviously didn’t learn how not to get caught and it’s unlikely that he learned honesty out of the affair. Whether he knew of the fraud or not doesn’t qualify him, in my mind, as a good gubernatorial candidate. If he knew, he is a common thief – if he didn’t know of the frauds, he’s not a very good CEO.
News pundits claim that Rick Scott has spent over $15 million of his own money to get the job as the Governor of this State. That job pays only about $140,000 a year. I have to wonder about the business acumen of someone who spends $15 million out of his own pocket to obtain a 4 year job that will gross only about $520,000. I’ve been in business for myself for some time and, to me, the figures just don’t add up unless, of course, he has plans of continuing larceny.
Rick Scott also wants us to assume that he became a more astute businessman, and therefore a better gubernatorial candidate, because he was ousted as CEO from Columbia/HCA following the $1.7 billion fraud claim settlement. I’ve got to wonder exactly what lessons he learned as set forth in his website claim. He obviously didn’t learn how not to get caught and it’s unlikely that he learned honesty out of the affair. Whether he knew of the fraud or not doesn’t qualify him, in my mind, as a good gubernatorial candidate. If he knew, he is a common thief – if he didn’t know of the frauds, he’s not a very good CEO.
News pundits claim that Rick Scott has spent over $15 million of his own money to get the job as the Governor of this State. That job pays only about $140,000 a year. I have to wonder about the business acumen of someone who spends $15 million out of his own pocket to obtain a 4 year job that will gross only about $520,000. I’ve been in business for myself for some time and, to me, the figures just don’t add up unless, of course, he has plans of continuing larceny.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Overloaded Vessel
By Ronald E. Hignight
There is nothing more egregious and dangerous than a Captain who overloads his vessel placing the vessel, himself and his passengers in peril. The BP oil disaster brings into focus how human beings have overloaded our vessel – the earth – and are placing our vessel in peril.
We are, in our haste to increase petroleum production, taking short cuts producing such disasters daily. The BP disaster may pass, as all such disasters tend to do but, what will we learn from the disaster?
The vast majority of our scientists have warned that human beings are responsible for the pending Climate Change yet we listen, instead, to the politicians and entrepreneurs debunk the warning and drill on.
We have also been warned by various national and international agencies that we have passed Peak Oil production point and that the earth’s available oil is being consumed exponentially and without recovery, at the current rate of 9% per year. By 2020, there may be no more recoverable oil.
Our Oceans are in decline experiencing a collapse of their ecosystems long before the BP Oil Spill disaster. In 2004, the Oceans had lost 20% of their historical coral reefs. Another 40% of the reefs, the building blocks of our fisheries, will be lost before the end of this decade.
Our earth has lost 50% of its Forests, the consumption of which, accounts for over 25% of the Greenhouse effects inducing Climate Change. Because of Climate Change, we are losing arable lands and producing a potential Food Crisis.
Lastly, we are simply Over Populated. There are close to 7 Billion people on this overloaded earth where a scant 50 years ago, there were only 3 Billion people.
A Captain has an opportunity, before leaving port, to decide whether his vessel is safe or overloaded and in danger of capsizing. Climate Change, Peak Oil, Oceans in Decline, Deforestation, Food Crisis and Over Population has together, if not individually, overloaded our vessel and it is time for the Captain to make sound decisions – not convenient and expedient decisions.
There is nothing more egregious and dangerous than a Captain who overloads his vessel placing the vessel, himself and his passengers in peril. The BP oil disaster brings into focus how human beings have overloaded our vessel – the earth – and are placing our vessel in peril.
We are, in our haste to increase petroleum production, taking short cuts producing such disasters daily. The BP disaster may pass, as all such disasters tend to do but, what will we learn from the disaster?
The vast majority of our scientists have warned that human beings are responsible for the pending Climate Change yet we listen, instead, to the politicians and entrepreneurs debunk the warning and drill on.
We have also been warned by various national and international agencies that we have passed Peak Oil production point and that the earth’s available oil is being consumed exponentially and without recovery, at the current rate of 9% per year. By 2020, there may be no more recoverable oil.
Our Oceans are in decline experiencing a collapse of their ecosystems long before the BP Oil Spill disaster. In 2004, the Oceans had lost 20% of their historical coral reefs. Another 40% of the reefs, the building blocks of our fisheries, will be lost before the end of this decade.
Our earth has lost 50% of its Forests, the consumption of which, accounts for over 25% of the Greenhouse effects inducing Climate Change. Because of Climate Change, we are losing arable lands and producing a potential Food Crisis.
Lastly, we are simply Over Populated. There are close to 7 Billion people on this overloaded earth where a scant 50 years ago, there were only 3 Billion people.
A Captain has an opportunity, before leaving port, to decide whether his vessel is safe or overloaded and in danger of capsizing. Climate Change, Peak Oil, Oceans in Decline, Deforestation, Food Crisis and Over Population has together, if not individually, overloaded our vessel and it is time for the Captain to make sound decisions – not convenient and expedient decisions.
Monday, March 1, 2010
There Ought to be a Law
By Ronald E. Hignight
There ought to be a law. Have you tried dealing with an auto insurance company lately regarding a loss? They expeditiously take information, even over the internet, and dispatch an adjuster within 24 hours. A fellow shows up all smiles, snaps a few photos on his handy cell phone then leaves in a rush to turn in his report.
The next day, you receive a nice warm phone call from the claims representative, gushing with concern about your loss. Then they drop the bomb – an offer to settle all claims for about half the value of your auto. No rental is offered but they will send a tow truck. You have the responsibility of signing the title and sending it to them. Once they have confirmed that the auto is at the salvage yard and have received the title, they will forward the check for your auto.
When you try to talk with them about how they determined the value of the vehicle they say imperiously that the value is based on ‘comparables.’ Where such comparables come from is somewhat of a mystery but I was informed that they ranged out some 200 miles to try to find the exact vehicle somewhere on the market. I suspect that the vehicles they found, if any actually exist, are lodged at a salvage yard somewhere.
If you object to the value, all that really happens is that you are passed from one claim representative to another over a period of several days each promising that they will re-research the comparables. Each successive call renders the same value.
It is fruitless to suggest that you will engage an attorney even though such is an alternative. It is an alternative only if you have some form of transportation to get you by for the next nine months to a year. What is needed is a quick and inexpensive forum to turn to such as mediation. But, it takes two to agree to mediation and insurance companies are uninterested. So, give us a law that compels auto insurance companies to go to mediation if there is a disagreement on a claim.
There ought to be a law. Have you tried dealing with an auto insurance company lately regarding a loss? They expeditiously take information, even over the internet, and dispatch an adjuster within 24 hours. A fellow shows up all smiles, snaps a few photos on his handy cell phone then leaves in a rush to turn in his report.
The next day, you receive a nice warm phone call from the claims representative, gushing with concern about your loss. Then they drop the bomb – an offer to settle all claims for about half the value of your auto. No rental is offered but they will send a tow truck. You have the responsibility of signing the title and sending it to them. Once they have confirmed that the auto is at the salvage yard and have received the title, they will forward the check for your auto.
When you try to talk with them about how they determined the value of the vehicle they say imperiously that the value is based on ‘comparables.’ Where such comparables come from is somewhat of a mystery but I was informed that they ranged out some 200 miles to try to find the exact vehicle somewhere on the market. I suspect that the vehicles they found, if any actually exist, are lodged at a salvage yard somewhere.
If you object to the value, all that really happens is that you are passed from one claim representative to another over a period of several days each promising that they will re-research the comparables. Each successive call renders the same value.
It is fruitless to suggest that you will engage an attorney even though such is an alternative. It is an alternative only if you have some form of transportation to get you by for the next nine months to a year. What is needed is a quick and inexpensive forum to turn to such as mediation. But, it takes two to agree to mediation and insurance companies are uninterested. So, give us a law that compels auto insurance companies to go to mediation if there is a disagreement on a claim.
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