Friday, January 13, 2012
My Thoughts On Ron Paul!
My friend Danny has sent me a couple of recordings of Ron Paul. One was of him on, "Meet The Press," and the other was his speech after winning the New Hampshire Primary. Danny asked my opinion about Mr. Paul and the following is a summary of those thoughts.
There are many items and points that Ron Paul makes, I find myself in total agreement with. Then Paul takes the extreme and I drift away. I said before during and today, the war in Iraq was and is a terrible mistake. It has cost us thousands of American lives, trillions of dollars and shifted our focus from building America to watching America crumble. It has also cost tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left their country in complete chaos. To what end? They will probably sink into a civil war. The country is now in a position that it can be exploited by it's neighbor, Iran. The end result for Iraq is, whether we went in or not, the same. Their is no justification for the past and current administrations to continue pouring billions and maybe even trillions more into an already corrupt government in that country. Other actions we have entered into around the globe has costs us enormous sums of money and people's lives. I would say this one point though, we must separate the war from the warriors. Our military people and I am talking about the grunts on the ground, are the bravest, best trained and without a doubt the finest military fighting people in the history of the world and they are to be admired and thanked every day for their sacrifice and courage. The military and civilian leaders should not waste this precious resource of people to promote our Imperialistic urges.
In this regard I am clear. I support bringing our troops home from Iraq, Afghanistan and any other area in the world where they are not directly serving the defense of America. If our interest are not directly involved, quit spending money, resources and most importantly lives. I do support using troops such as Special Operations, similar to, Seal Team 6, to enter and covertly accomplish certain missions, when our security is endangered. The price in dollars and lives are reduced and yet have a better and longer lasting effect. In general I agree with Mr. Paul on the use of military force and reducing the cost of money that is sent overseas to other countries.
Later I will discuss my point of view on Ron Paul's economic policies.
There are many items and points that Ron Paul makes, I find myself in total agreement with. Then Paul takes the extreme and I drift away. I said before during and today, the war in Iraq was and is a terrible mistake. It has cost us thousands of American lives, trillions of dollars and shifted our focus from building America to watching America crumble. It has also cost tens of thousands of Iraqi lives and left their country in complete chaos. To what end? They will probably sink into a civil war. The country is now in a position that it can be exploited by it's neighbor, Iran. The end result for Iraq is, whether we went in or not, the same. Their is no justification for the past and current administrations to continue pouring billions and maybe even trillions more into an already corrupt government in that country. Other actions we have entered into around the globe has costs us enormous sums of money and people's lives. I would say this one point though, we must separate the war from the warriors. Our military people and I am talking about the grunts on the ground, are the bravest, best trained and without a doubt the finest military fighting people in the history of the world and they are to be admired and thanked every day for their sacrifice and courage. The military and civilian leaders should not waste this precious resource of people to promote our Imperialistic urges.
In this regard I am clear. I support bringing our troops home from Iraq, Afghanistan and any other area in the world where they are not directly serving the defense of America. If our interest are not directly involved, quit spending money, resources and most importantly lives. I do support using troops such as Special Operations, similar to, Seal Team 6, to enter and covertly accomplish certain missions, when our security is endangered. The price in dollars and lives are reduced and yet have a better and longer lasting effect. In general I agree with Mr. Paul on the use of military force and reducing the cost of money that is sent overseas to other countries.
Later I will discuss my point of view on Ron Paul's economic policies.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Romney "Politics Of Envy" You Are Wrong!!
Mitt Romney in his speech last night, stated that the President and the left are practicing the politics of envy. He and any conservative that feels this is about envy is certainly missing the point. I am sure just like the extreme on the right, have views outside of the mainstream there are extremes on the left that look at the wealthy and corporations with envy. Most people including myself, family and friends, want one thing only. A fair and level playing field. Opportunities that are extended to everyone. Then we can either succeed or fail, based upon our own hard work. The problem is the system has become twisted and tilted in one direction and the real opportunities are not available to all.
I dislike the minimum alternative tax, that allows the less wealthy to get large refunds of up to the amount of money they make each year. They pay no taxes and then receive a credit and money, that we all pay for. Likewise I abhor the idea that a corporation can make billions of dollars in profit each year and they also pay no taxes and get a large refund from the government because of their credits. Again we all pay for this. This is not fair in either case. Everyone should pay a portion of their income to support the infrastructure and services that we all benefit from.
Millions of hard working Americans pay for health insurance each month, through payroll deductions. When we fill a prescription or receive medical attention, we then pay a deductible. Millions more receive free Medicaid and contribute nothing toward the cost. I am not talking about Medicare, for our seniors, they have spent a lifetime paying their way and now they deserve our help in their later years. I am talking about making health care affordable and having all able bodied people contribute into the fund. This is called responsibility and should be welcomed by all.
I know in some ways I sound like a conservative and in some regards I am. My main point in this is I do not envy a person, who through hard work and perseverence, has made a lot of money. I just want them to pay their fair share. This is not class warfare. It is fairness. People like Romney completely misses the idea that fairness is what the average person wants.
I dislike the minimum alternative tax, that allows the less wealthy to get large refunds of up to the amount of money they make each year. They pay no taxes and then receive a credit and money, that we all pay for. Likewise I abhor the idea that a corporation can make billions of dollars in profit each year and they also pay no taxes and get a large refund from the government because of their credits. Again we all pay for this. This is not fair in either case. Everyone should pay a portion of their income to support the infrastructure and services that we all benefit from.
Millions of hard working Americans pay for health insurance each month, through payroll deductions. When we fill a prescription or receive medical attention, we then pay a deductible. Millions more receive free Medicaid and contribute nothing toward the cost. I am not talking about Medicare, for our seniors, they have spent a lifetime paying their way and now they deserve our help in their later years. I am talking about making health care affordable and having all able bodied people contribute into the fund. This is called responsibility and should be welcomed by all.
I know in some ways I sound like a conservative and in some regards I am. My main point in this is I do not envy a person, who through hard work and perseverence, has made a lot of money. I just want them to pay their fair share. This is not class warfare. It is fairness. People like Romney completely misses the idea that fairness is what the average person wants.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
New Hampshire Primary Today!
Last night the BCS championship game and tonight the New Hampshire primary. Is this a great country or what. For a political geek and sports enthusiast, like me, this is heaven. Any one wanting to get in touch with me tonight, good luck. I will be glued to the television for all of the political action and commentary. I will get Jayden early and get settled in to watch returns. Yes!!!!!!!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Why Has The Truth Disappeared?
Over the last couple of days I have been involved with someone in a face book debate and in my opinion it has become a debate over the truth. In every aspect of life we seem to have disavowed the idea that truth and fact are central to our relationships as human beings.
Our political leaders, whether the are on the left or right seem to have a problem with facts. The far right wing crazies are, again, trying to say Obama is not a citizen and therefore ineligible to be President. They also want to portray our President as a racist. The far left crazies are attempting to paint Ron Paul as a racist. During President Bushs' eight years they kept saying he was an idiot. Now I do not support Ron Paul's policies. I did not support George Bush's policies, but one is not a racist and one was not an idiot. All of those that are out there preaching any of the above are the ones that are idiots. However that being said, our leaders are to blame for the lack of facts in our political process. They tell half truths. They give misleading statements and when that does not work they just tell complete lies. This is the example they set for the American public.
When your child tells a lie and we correct them and then turn around and tell a lie, we have just taught them that lying is appropriate. It is not, and the only time that we should fudge the truth is to avoid, intentionally hurting someone. That does not mean we lie, we just find a polite and sensitive way to get the truth across. It is, now a days, accepted to lie just to sway public opinion in your favor. STOP!!!
Our business leaders have lied to their stock holders and employees, so they could manipulate stock prices. They have lied to regulators to try and protect their personal wealth. They reward, the people that lie and sell useless products and services to the public, with large bonuses and then throw those people under the bus when the facts come out. Why are they not in jail, for breaking laws. They lie and get elected governor of Florida.
The time has come that all of us start to hold each other to a new and higher standard. The truth. We should seek out facts and let others know when they are supporting lies. We should stop the ridiculous bickering and start working for the betterment of America. Let us all start today and use the truth to move us all forward. Set an example for our children. Set an example for our spouses. Set an example for our neighbors. Most of all set an example for ourselves. One that will allow us to gaze into the mirror and see the face off integrity staring back at us. It would certainly make for a better world and America.
Our political leaders, whether the are on the left or right seem to have a problem with facts. The far right wing crazies are, again, trying to say Obama is not a citizen and therefore ineligible to be President. They also want to portray our President as a racist. The far left crazies are attempting to paint Ron Paul as a racist. During President Bushs' eight years they kept saying he was an idiot. Now I do not support Ron Paul's policies. I did not support George Bush's policies, but one is not a racist and one was not an idiot. All of those that are out there preaching any of the above are the ones that are idiots. However that being said, our leaders are to blame for the lack of facts in our political process. They tell half truths. They give misleading statements and when that does not work they just tell complete lies. This is the example they set for the American public.
When your child tells a lie and we correct them and then turn around and tell a lie, we have just taught them that lying is appropriate. It is not, and the only time that we should fudge the truth is to avoid, intentionally hurting someone. That does not mean we lie, we just find a polite and sensitive way to get the truth across. It is, now a days, accepted to lie just to sway public opinion in your favor. STOP!!!
Our business leaders have lied to their stock holders and employees, so they could manipulate stock prices. They have lied to regulators to try and protect their personal wealth. They reward, the people that lie and sell useless products and services to the public, with large bonuses and then throw those people under the bus when the facts come out. Why are they not in jail, for breaking laws. They lie and get elected governor of Florida.
The time has come that all of us start to hold each other to a new and higher standard. The truth. We should seek out facts and let others know when they are supporting lies. We should stop the ridiculous bickering and start working for the betterment of America. Let us all start today and use the truth to move us all forward. Set an example for our children. Set an example for our spouses. Set an example for our neighbors. Most of all set an example for ourselves. One that will allow us to gaze into the mirror and see the face off integrity staring back at us. It would certainly make for a better world and America.
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