In a continuing effort to provide resources to anyone wishing to get involved in politics, here is where you can ask questions of the Obama folks. The questions are voted up or down and the most popular are supposed to get an answer.
Since taxes are a pet peeve of mine. I posted the following: "Considering how COMPLEX the tax code is, considering the obvious corrupting influence it has on elected officials/special interests, considering the violations of taxpayer privacy by IRS DATA COLLECTION; Isn't it time to explore the FAIRTAX (hr 25)?"
It's in the economy section.
I strongly recommend that you go to Change.gov questions and sign in.
Vote for questions you think deserve an answer. I tend to vote down any question that implies an expansion of an already too big government.
Get going, Get involved.
C'ya next year.
A look at politics and the American condition from the point of view of a middle class working guy who doesn't subscribe to slogans or labels (much).
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Happy New Year
Christmas is over and I hope you had a great one. I hope that you reconnected with friends, family, and those that need your help. I also want to wish you a happy new year. I hope that you are prosperous, lucky in life and love, and active.
Active? What the hell is that? I don't care if you are exercising although that is a good thing. I want you to get involved in your local, state, and federal government. I would rather have you out and in open opposition to me than sitting at home on the sidelines. Educate your friends. Inform your elected whoever about the issues that resonate with you. Get involved. There is a new President in town come next month. Make dang sure that he and his cronies understand that you are going to hold him to some form of standards.
Finally, remember that no matter how angry you get we still live in the worlds most free country. You can still make a difference. Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year.
Phil
Active? What the hell is that? I don't care if you are exercising although that is a good thing. I want you to get involved in your local, state, and federal government. I would rather have you out and in open opposition to me than sitting at home on the sidelines. Educate your friends. Inform your elected whoever about the issues that resonate with you. Get involved. There is a new President in town come next month. Make dang sure that he and his cronies understand that you are going to hold him to some form of standards.
Finally, remember that no matter how angry you get we still live in the worlds most free country. You can still make a difference. Thanks for reading, and Happy New Year.
Phil
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
What's Your Vision For America?
Hey everyone. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy & Prosperous New Year. And, if you don't celebrate Christmas specifically then I wish you the same Peace, Joy, and Happiness all the same.
It isn't often that I get excited about a web site. But, I found one that I wish I'd thought of. It is a great idea and everyone who reads this should go there.
It's called WhiteHouse 2. What you do is set your priorities for the United States. There are hundreds already there that you can browse thru, support, oppose, and rank. Additionally there is a discussion feature where you can attempt to "sell" others on why that priority should be supported or opposed. BTW, my list is here. Check it out, support it or oppose it, talk with me about it.
And you get to make your own priorities. They go into the mix and are eligible for voting etc. If you are a good writer, you may get lots of support.
Finally, you can send your priority list to the Obama Transition Team. The formatted letter will list your priorities as well as identify which ones you agree on with Obamas own listing.
Get informed, Get Involved, Get out there.
Merry Christmas, See you next week.
It isn't often that I get excited about a web site. But, I found one that I wish I'd thought of. It is a great idea and everyone who reads this should go there.
It's called WhiteHouse 2. What you do is set your priorities for the United States. There are hundreds already there that you can browse thru, support, oppose, and rank. Additionally there is a discussion feature where you can attempt to "sell" others on why that priority should be supported or opposed. BTW, my list is here. Check it out, support it or oppose it, talk with me about it.
And you get to make your own priorities. They go into the mix and are eligible for voting etc. If you are a good writer, you may get lots of support.
Finally, you can send your priority list to the Obama Transition Team. The formatted letter will list your priorities as well as identify which ones you agree on with Obamas own listing.
Get informed, Get Involved, Get out there.
Merry Christmas, See you next week.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
More Catching Up
I am optimistic. Things will get better even if it is a slow road instead of a direct route. Now that the election is in the bag I am going to advocate for the basics again just to keep my Senators/Representative honest.
- No bailout
- Restructure the Regulatory System to be incentive driven. If we are going to regulate and throw money at things then we might as well make it graduated and pay the folks who get into compliance the quickest. The CAFE standards right now are unworkable from what I have read. Instead let's say to them.... The first company to show us a 40 mpg average SUV that is affordable to the average buyer gets a billion dollar bonus.
- Enact the fairtax. It is past time to blow up the outhouse and put indoor plumbing in place.
- Enact the Enumerated Powers Act. If you are going to stretch the Constitution, then at least put it into words in the front end of the law.
- Either enact a balanced budget amendment or a line item veto for the President.
Since windmills are all the rage, I will play the part of Don Quixote.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Catching Up
Life happens. I hope everyone is doing well this Christmas season. Thanks to the downturn I am working two full time jobs and free time to blog is as limited as can be. So this is a generic look see at the last month.
For starters I oppose the .gov bailouts. So long as we have small business owners hangin on by the skin of their teeth then big business needs to suck it up. I work for a sixty something year old guy who is the nicest person I've met in a long time. He is killing himself trying to hold his business together. No bailout for him even though he's been a community icon for almost 30 years.
Even though my resume is updated, I don't have the heart to quit this guy. He is holding on secure in the hope that things will improve. He's basically conservative both fiscally and socially but is willing to give Obama a chance. Above all, he cares about the five of us working for him. We've made cuts, because the simple fact is that sometimes you have to man up and do what you have to do.
So, for the top execs of the banking and auto industries..... It's time for you to lead by example. I don't begrudge anyone getting rich. But it is hard to feel sympathy for a millionaire who gets a bonus for driving his company into the ground.
This also goes out for the unions as well. Guys, I imagine that some of you are sincerly trying to protect your workers. But right now you appear to be like the pit bull that won't let go of the bone. No one had any sympathy for the oil companies who made money and didn't ask for any. Very few are going to feel sorry for workers who appear to be overpaid. Appearances may not be reality. But appearances can have an effect on public opinion. And right now you appear to be selfish and greedy. I suggest that you tie your wages/benefits and union dues/union employee compensation to the fortunes of the company. If profits go up, so do your fortunes. If profits are down, then you take a proportionate cut.
To Congress: This is mostly your fault. Sorry guys but your committees made the conditions that led to the banking issue. Your regulations led to the auto industry being non-competitive. The domino effect is in progress and throwing money at the problem won't save it. Get rid of CAFE unless you are going to restructure it as an incentive. Get rid of your interference with labor and management. Stick to the enumerated powers and stop using the commerce clause as the one-size-fits-all excuse for meddling.
And, finally, just in case I cannot find the time....... Merry Christmas
For starters I oppose the .gov bailouts. So long as we have small business owners hangin on by the skin of their teeth then big business needs to suck it up. I work for a sixty something year old guy who is the nicest person I've met in a long time. He is killing himself trying to hold his business together. No bailout for him even though he's been a community icon for almost 30 years.
Even though my resume is updated, I don't have the heart to quit this guy. He is holding on secure in the hope that things will improve. He's basically conservative both fiscally and socially but is willing to give Obama a chance. Above all, he cares about the five of us working for him. We've made cuts, because the simple fact is that sometimes you have to man up and do what you have to do.
So, for the top execs of the banking and auto industries..... It's time for you to lead by example. I don't begrudge anyone getting rich. But it is hard to feel sympathy for a millionaire who gets a bonus for driving his company into the ground.
This also goes out for the unions as well. Guys, I imagine that some of you are sincerly trying to protect your workers. But right now you appear to be like the pit bull that won't let go of the bone. No one had any sympathy for the oil companies who made money and didn't ask for any. Very few are going to feel sorry for workers who appear to be overpaid. Appearances may not be reality. But appearances can have an effect on public opinion. And right now you appear to be selfish and greedy. I suggest that you tie your wages/benefits and union dues/union employee compensation to the fortunes of the company. If profits go up, so do your fortunes. If profits are down, then you take a proportionate cut.
To Congress: This is mostly your fault. Sorry guys but your committees made the conditions that led to the banking issue. Your regulations led to the auto industry being non-competitive. The domino effect is in progress and throwing money at the problem won't save it. Get rid of CAFE unless you are going to restructure it as an incentive. Get rid of your interference with labor and management. Stick to the enumerated powers and stop using the commerce clause as the one-size-fits-all excuse for meddling.
And, finally, just in case I cannot find the time....... Merry Christmas
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