Monday, September 29, 2008

What Caused The Economic Problem?

Watch This:

Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008

109 pages of information. That is what is being presented for signing. From a six page original document to 109 pages.

$700 Billion to bailout, oops - I mean Stabilize, the economy. For a government that is in debt, where did the money come from? Are they making up money as it goes? What will this do to value of the dollar? I have seen the summaries and legislative proposal. Neither explain enough for me to support this.

So I am hereby announcing that I am running for President. I am even starting my own party - The Commoners. The Commoners is for the common man. You see, our government was created on the belief that the common man can rule himself. This great experiment is no longer an experiment. After 230 years of rule, I would say the United States has withstood plenty of turmoil that would have destroyed any other country. Ours is a special country.

The Commoners is a party that believes that the common man can come up with good ideas that will help expand our ability to remain a great nation. It believes that God is central to all understanding of justice. It believes that truth and honesty are the key to keeping a new form of elitism from dominating our lives - the very lives we have the ability to control.

As for a party platform, I think it should have seven common ideals:
  1. The FairTax is essential to stabilizing our ability to compete with a global market especially with the rising prowess of China and India. Paying off the national debt is must to shore up the dollar and our ability to remain an economic powerhouse.
  2. Education is key to moving our nation forward. Science and technology are the current trends of the future and should be rewarded at the local level for those schools that can raise new innovative leaders in these areas. Vouchers are a must and federal standards are the most the U.S. government needs to provide the common man. Education must be controlled at the local level. Financial Education in the high school level is a must and students will have to pass such classes to graduate.
  3. Healthcare is a must for our nation. The Commoners oppose any legislation that nationalizes healthcare. We have the greatest healthcare in the world. What we need is better communication between the medical fields through more enhanced technology. We need to clean up Medicare and look into provided incentives to industries that are able to provide healthcare to those in need. We need to stimulate plans that help the poor to save money with tax free investments that they can use for education, health care, or other immediate needs. We do this by creating a supplement for low cost insurance for those who make a under certain amount per year. Pornography is a detriment to our society and destroys individuals as well as families, and should be banned. Marriage as seen by the Commoners is between a man and a woman. Abortion is wrong and should be opposed by all. But marriage and abortion, though vital to our identity, should be fought at the state level.
  4. Social Security is a problem today. It must be dealt with immediately. The FairTax will help to better secure the finances needed to care for our aging citizens but the finances needed for the future must be secured through encouraged investments and savings at the individual level. People must be taught how to save and invest if we are ever to see Social Security replaced.
  5. Energy and the environment are vital to our survival. The Commoners support the Pickens Plan to help provide better security and better energy management for our nation. This environment is our only environment. Though we oppose government taking the land of people, we must provide for more recycling and better treatment of our natural resources.
  6. National defense must remain a primary work of the federal government. Immigration enforcement is part of this security and must be the primary goal of this Party. The war against terrorism must continue, and the message of freedom must be made known throughout the world.
  7. God is central to governing. The push to rid America of the true God of the Bible must end. Our principles and beliefs all stem from the Bible. Respect for all religious beliefs must be maintained but moral integrity should arise from our Christian heritage.
As time goes on, new issues will be addressed. These however are the seven primary issues that are driving this election. Anyway, those are my musing. Maybe this will catch on in time to get elected. Someone has to stand for something.

As for those I would ask to help govern:
  • Vice-President - Newt Gingrich
  • White House Chief of Staff - my uncle
  • Secretary of State - Karen Handel
  • Secretary of Defense - I would ask Mr. Gates to remain
As for the others, time would reveal my picks for those positions. What do you think?

Friday, September 26, 2008

Say No to the Bailout

To get to the point, I hope Congress does not act on the 700 Billion Dollar bailout. Instead, I would rather they change the mark-to-market accounting law and to extend insurance but extend no loans.

To get more details and to contact your representatives and the Finance committee check this out: How We Can Clean Up a Lot of the Economic Problems

The Deal, Boss, The Deal

So Democrats are coming out and screaming about the deal they had on the table until John McCain (who didn't speak the first 40 minutes during the round table) railroaded the debate.

As I watched the news yesterday, the Democrats did not have a deal until after McCain announced he was on the way to Washington D.C.

THEY DID NOT HAVE DEAL! They are playing politics just like everyone else. Do not listen to the rhetoric. They are blaming Mr. McCain now because they can't come up with any real plan.

My Question

My question about this plan or bailout or investment or whatever they are calling it today, how long before the same bad behaviors cause us to have to bailout the banking system again?

I heard Republicans say that people need to be able to borrow to send their kids to school. They need to borrow in order to pay employees.
  1. If you borrow to send your kids to school you are already teaching them how to lose in life! You are teaching them that borrowing is the best solution - but teaching them how to create debt is exactly why we are in this situation. Kids need to be taught how to make money and how to use that to create more opportunity.
  2. If you are borrowing just to pay your payroll - you do not have a business. You are failing!
The reason people are having trouble paying for a home is because the home is too much to afford. The reason car makers are having such a hard time is that there are a lot of good used cars that are being bought and sold. The reason gas is so expensive is because we do not know how to conserve (we all believe it is there just for me and nobody else deserves it as much I do).

Maybe not everyone, but it is getting close.

Are you having a hard time paying your bills - drop something. Drop your landline phone service. Drop your internet service. Drop your cell phone company. Drop your cable or satellite service. Make the cuts necessary to keep going.

Some gurus say they refuse to live below themselves (Kiyosaki and Trump). Fine. Good for them - you are not them. That does not mean you cannot rebuild and grow again to what you are used to having. Right now you have to do the right thing instead of trying to look right.

Proverbs 24:3,4 says:

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables. (NLT)


I am listening to all these people who say "so and so will get paid if such and such can get money through a loan". Let me say it more clearly. If you have to take out a loan to do something - you cannot afford it! If you cannot pay cash for something and whip out that credit card - you are creating more problems!

This is probably too logical. I understand it is also a simplistic answer but that is all we are getting from those with the microphones.

People keep saying that the government should have acted sooner. Let me ask this - when did we need government to step in? What happened to personal responsibility?

That verse says a house becomes strong through good sense. Our government has proven that it doesn't act with good sense a lot of the time - it wasn't created to do so. We are to act with good sense. If you gamble with your money and you lose, you lose. That is why it is called a gamble.

A house is built with wisdom. True wisdom comes from understanding the will of God. The more we lose contact with God, the further away from true wisdom we are found.

Let's stop gambling and start acting with good sense. Only then will our nation grow stronger.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

The Strategy Room

I have been watching The Fox News Strategy Room, a streaming news commentary only found on the internet. It is great - no commercials and people get to finish their thoughts. It is also fair and balanced! Both sides of the story are represented.

Here is the link and they do answer your questions and comments! The Strategy Room

As to the economic crisis, I think the slower approach is better. These companies made their own beds and through greed created an inevitable crisis. Bailing out people who bought homes they could not afford is even worse. The government wants to take more control which I fear above all because they are taking us down a slippery slope towards communism or socialism.

Our country may lose some through this. Haven't we lost before? Haven't we had the resilience to overcome problems? Haven't leaders emerged when we needed them?

Instead of placing blame, why not begin to pray to a loving God, and then let's answer the problems. Let the candidates stop being vague and put real answers before the people. Then let's vote on the path most likely to help us. If the Democrats win, then we go their way. When they fail then we fix it (just kidding). If the Republicans win, then let's go their way. If a third party emerges, then let's get on board and be a nation that stands together.

Division will cause this nation to split apart. It happened before in the 1800's - remember the Civil War. I know we are not headed down that path but you get the picture. Let's stop trying to be right and start doing the right things. If there are real and legitimate question, then let's vet them out.

But of all things, let's put answers out there and vote! That's what a Republic does. Our republic is suffering from an identity crisis. Let's stop, think, and do the right thing.

Monday, September 22, 2008

We Need Real Leadership

Venezuela's president, the super mouth from the south, has decided to have "military" maneuvers as a show of strength against the U.S. The Russian mafia government as a means of throwing a tantrum has decided to refresh its alliances in Latin America (or at least with those countries that want something to do with them).

Of course, the reason for these maneuvers are to test new toys that Venezuela is getting ready to purchase. Russia has signed a contract to provide a bunch of new weaponry, and they are also looking to broker a deal to create an energy alliance. Russia is moving to provide Venezuela with a refinery so Venezuela can refine its own fuel. This is what interest me the most.

Venezuela is the ninth largest oil producer in the world and provides the U.S. with a large portion of our oil supplies. The alliance with Russia seems to be a move in which Russia can use to manipulate us. Russia's tantrum has all the earmarks of the old Cold War posturing.

Russia is trying to flex a muscle it hasn't used in twenty years. If we do not wake up soon we will have a huge problem on our hands. Venezuela with this new alliance will not have to sell oil to us.

We need to invest in our own renewable sources and until we can get to that point we must find new sources for oil. Drilling fifty miles off the coast is not going to help us. We need to drill where the oil is.

Picken's plan looks better and better. At least it gives us a direction. Right now our politicians are lost in a fog. I would love to see someone stand up and take a firm position.

JFK was loved by most not because he was a perfect president. He was loved because he had vision and direction. He said we should put someone on the moon, and we did. He took a bold move in standing up to the Russian move to put nukes in Cuba, and Russia backed down.

Lincoln is loved not because he was president but because he believed in abolishing slavery (unpopular as it was), and he stuck to his guns. There was a Civil War and his ideas won in the end.

Our new aged politicians are too busy trying to become movie stars and popular icons. They are afraid to take a position and go for it. I would love to see one of the candidates come out with one strong idea on each of the major topics and run on those ideas. Lay out their plans and let us decide which plan we like.

All I hear are wishes and hopes of the candidates. I have written about this numerous times but with Russia becoming a pain, Iran blowing everyone off, and North Korea pulling the shades down low, we do not have the luxury of getting this wrong.

  • Drill Here, Drill Now - and Pay Less. Then invest heavily in renewable energy.
  • Adopt the FairTax and bring our corporations and jobs home
  • Vouchers all the way for school (any school), set federal standards, and let competition meet those goals
  • Go back to pre-Clinton banking rules to regulate the banking and stocks systems in a healthy way to help stem off greedy and underhanded trading that leaves us vulnerable
  • PAY OFF OUR NATIONAL DEBT
  • Actually implement our immigration policies
  • Take care of our environment (it is not about global warming; it's about being faithful stewards of what God has entrusted us with)
  • And most importantly, let God be God in America again
Was that so hard? It would easily take four years just to get these eight points taken care of. Maybe then we could get away from personal attacks and get back to really debating each other's ideas.

Friday, September 19, 2008

The Medal of Honor

I just watched a report online about a young Marine sergeant who after being shot grasped a grenade that been thrown amongst his peers and smothered it which ensured his death.

He was awarded the Navy Cross, not the Medal of Honor. Why? Supposedly the military says he was dead from being shot and he had a reflex that raked the grenade under him. Say what? I have seen such reflexes in bugs I have killed, but never heard of them in humans.

Besides, how does someone's death reflex just happen to coral a grenade and save the lives of those around him?

Before I get too judgmental, I do not know all of the facts. But if the Marines that were with him believe that what he did was a conscious effort to save their lives by giving his, I would have to go with those who were there.

Again, I do not know how many interviews were done about the subject or how things unfolded. All I know is that a young Marine did his job. Having spent six years as a military policeman, I will say job well done, Sgt. Rafael Peralta.

Let's not forget our soldiers. They are still in harm's way, and as we can see from the vicious attack on our embassy in Yemen, the danger is still real.


Thursday, September 18, 2008

I'm a Patriot, He's a Patriot, Wouldn't You Like To Be One Too?

So Joesph Biden thinks we are being unpatriotic if we do not like to pay more taxes?

He has gone off the deep end. How about this Senator - CUT SPENDING!

If I stop making money, I have to cut spending. The government should also. If the money is not there, it needs to CUT SPENDING! Our forefathers are turning over in their graves.

How much louder can I say it? Of course, I wish I was one of the wealthier so this had more meaning. But get real.

Neither raising taxes nor cutting taxes is going to help our economy recover any faster. The first step is for the federal government to take the baby steps necessary to cut spending. But then their power will recede and the government may become for the people and by the people again. I don't think Congress could part with their pocket padding.

If Mr. McCain would like to help Americans recover, he needs to get on board with true tax reform and cutting federal spending. Committees are the first place to put things you want to die. Don't believe me? Ever been a part of a church committee?

Senator Biden might see his leashed pulled back in after this one.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Economy Tanks, Now What

Okay, so the economy hasn't completely tanked. There are a lot of good things still happening. Maybe we will get back onto topic because of it.

There are some things that need urgent attention. One for example is the Red Cross needs donations. They are dealing with thousands of people needing support on the Gulf coast in Texas and still in Louisiana.

Why would I say give when people are unsure about tomorrow? None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. We are guaranteed right now. Right now is a great time to pass along help to those in need.

The Bible says:

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38 (NKJV)

It also says:

Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.Prov 3:28 (NKJV)


Giving is a command of God. It is the one sure way of testing our resolve. We will either become greedy in times like these or we will be gracious in how God blesses us. True character is shown in tough times.

The Red Cross is not the only way to give. Another place I like to support is Operation Compassion.

But why give?

Only through giving do we take the time to reflect on what we have and how we can make a difference even with little.

Through reflection we can also get a better handle on our own budget.

Every budget should consist of giving, saving, and spending. Giving reminds you that you have an important role to play in this life. There are greater tragedies than our own.

Saving is a way to protect yourself in times like now. Dave Ramsey suggests having a $1000 in savings for emergencies. Then pay off all consumer debt. Another thing to do is have 3 to 6 months in budget savings. See Dave's Baby Steps here.

Spending comes regardless of what we do. You have to decide how important things are to you. Where can you cut back? Don't worry about not supporting the economy. Worry about supporting you or your family by the financial decisions you are making right now.

The federal government

The federal government will have to take care of its own mess. We have all those smart people we elected and they are pretty confused about how overspending effects the economy. Maybe one day they will realize that our country is in debt and needs to get out of it.

Besides, Congress has more important issues to deal with - Check it out: Congress Celebrates Boooze

For now, get yourself in step and take care of yourself.


Monday, September 15, 2008

He Said, She Said, They Said, So I Say

Lehman Brothers has filed for bankruptcy, and did so on a good day. It has given everyone time to swallow the futures. Bank of America continues to grow with the announcement of their buying out Merrill Lynch. Gas falls due to demand. Russia is still defiant. North Korea is ruled by who? Venezuela is thumbing its nose. Did I miss anything?

All the while our candidates for the presidency are lost. I mean really lost. The Democrats are so lost that they have forgotten who their opponent is. The Republicans have become so lost that they are missing opportunity after opportunity to stay on topic.

He said this. She said that. They did this, so we will do that. Everyone says we will avoid typical politics but that has already been proven untrue.

The Democrats are so far off topic that they attacked John McCain's inability to email. Why can't he use email? It couldn't be that his injuries suffered in Hanoi causes extreme pain when he attempts to use a keyboard could it? Stupid politics calling for uncalled cheap shots at Mr. McCain's disabilities.

Gov. Palin is in the headlights. Charlie Gibson and his pro-democrat editors proved that with their negative use of Gibson's interview (I so impressed with their ability to stay objective!). See the differences in Gibson's interview with Obama and Palin here.

And the Republicans: Some of their ads are not exactly truthful. I have been very disappointed with the Republican ads. They are missing too many opportunities to keep their arguments before the people. They even admit to taking a new hard lined approach to this campaign.

To be honest, both campaigns have become boring. Our national history is plagued with negative campaigning. But there are differences.

In the past politicians made a person look bad for certain policies they supported. Today, politicians attack because of what clothing someone wears or how one's nose looks. Politics have moved from attacking policies to personal attacks.

He said. She said. They said. Boring. Give me the old days. Let's get back to economics, taxes (Go FairTax), terrorism, education, and the such. Maybe then people will start paying real attention.

What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Ephesians 4:25 (MSG)

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Remembering 7 Years Later

7 years ago, our nation suffered a loss not seen since Pearl Harbor. We were attacked by cowards on our own soil. We had opened our borders in love and compassion and received a blow to the head.

Why? Because the Islamic Hardliners do not want a military base in a Muslim nation.

Today's post is dedicated to those who have lost their lives and those who are fighting on foreign soil to bring to justice those who would have us destroyed.



Never Forget - Don't let history repeat itself!

What About Arlington?

Monday, September 8, 2008

The Hand That Holds the Cards

I have spoken a little about how our country used to be a place for other governments to come and ask for loans. Now, our country is a debtor nation. Our national debt reflects our bad judgement at all levels.

Our leaders' refusal to balance the budget and pay off our debt is reflected in our personal and our business debts. Consumer debt is destroying lives everyday.

The problem with our national debt is that it drives down the value of the dollar. The dollar is backed by our word and those who back our loans.

If for any reason our loan agents from the Middle East or in China decide they want us to pay up, we lose. The dollar will crash.

To the point...

I wonder how much our President and certain members of Congress are telling us. Are those who are loaning us these ridiculous loans holding a knife at our national throat? I can almost bet that is why we are so gentle with some nations such as China and Saudi Arabia.

I am not saying China and Saudi Arabia are great threats. We do not have much leverage when it comes to their social injustices though.

My fear is that those who hold the loans may be able to manipulate certain foreign policies.

The answer...

I believe we have to pay off our debts. We need a debt "snowball" as Dave Ramsey frequently speaks about on his radio and television show. This is one sure way of solidifying the dollar - not the only means but at least we will not be held captive to debt.

Congress has to know we are serious about this.

Proverbs 22:7 says - "Just as the rich rules over the poor so the borrower is servant to the lender."

I haven't taken an economics class in 15 years but I am sure that verse is correct about each of us. I personally cannot ask those who represent me to be good stewards of our nation if I myself cannot control my own spending and keep out of consumer debt.

So I challenge you, take the snowball challenge and start paying off your debts. Your retirement will thank you for it. Then you will have leverage with those who make our money decisions in government.

I am four months away from paying off everything but my home. It feels really good to have control of my money again and it is not controlling me.

Our nation can have this same feeling if we can get in control of our personal debt and cut spending. So how about it?

Friday, September 5, 2008

Sen Obama Can Lower Taxes

Here is how it works:

  1. President Obama, with a Democratically dominated Congress will raise taxes on the top 5%.
  2. The top 5% will in turn cut jobs and stop creating new positions.
  3. Those who lose their jobs or those who cannot find a job will have lower taxes.
  4. Why? They will not have any money to pay taxes with.
Yes, Senator Obama is ready to lower taxes and you can get a free pass to the welfare state he is wanting to create with his plan. Welcome to the United States of Socialism, if Mr. Obama is elected.

It is not too late to start demanding the FairTax or at least getting involved with electing Mr. McCain.

www.FairTax.org

www.John McCain.com

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Palin Hit a Homerun

I was able to watch Gov. Palin's speech last night. John McCain doesn't have to do much after that warm-up.

The sickening attacks by the Democratic Party have rejuvenated a lot of disenfranchised voters to vote for Republicans. I have seen numerous blogs to this point.

One attack has been for the attempted firing of a state trooper who was married to Palin's sister. The democrats would have you think that it was due to his divorcing the sister. Well maybe they should get their facts straight - here is an article from someone in Alaska about the problem: Cynical Alaskan

The attacks will get worse and the Democrats are looking for anything to grasp so they can destroy a woman - even using her children. Do people really want a party that has so much hatred in control of our government?

Senator Biden is so focused on bringing criminal charges against President Bush that he has lost sight of the future and the issues. Isn't the Congress supposed be controlled by the Democrats? If they refuse to bring charges, why would Biden? Because the Democrats do not have answers to issues. They are just trying to get votes.