So far out of control, I am in control

Change Idea #18 - Sugar

2008-08-24T19:29:00.000-07:00

I like soda pop and Knots Berry Farm strawberry preserves.

It has been suggested and somewhat proven that High Fructose Corn Syrup is bad for you. If you look at the foods that should have sugar in them it has been replaced by HFCS. Soda pop and my favorite preserves are an example.

Why??

Because there is a law that protects the farmers of sugar beets in the US. We do not want them to suffer because sugar prices are so low in the rest of the world. Another reason is that Cuba makes sugar and we definitely do not want to support Castro?

Chicago used to be the candy capital of the US. No longer. Candy is now made in another country because sugar is so expensive in the US.

I doubt that America’s sweet tooth will abate anytime soon. The time for sugar subsidies needs to end. The time for sweetened products to have sugar in them needs to return.

This would be a change that would help America’s health.

Change #17 - Sunset Laws

2008-07-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

Sunset laws, many of us have heard of them but not many of us know about them.

They are not enacted because it would cause our politicians to have to do work.

If anyone is paying attention our federal lawmakers put in less days of work than they have ever put in.

A sunset law would mean that Social Security would come up for reauthorization every 15 or 20 years depending on how long you want the sunset to be. I don't want Social Security not to be reenacted. But I am a firm believer that even the best program can be made better. With Social Security being such a political cow that can never be touched, a sunset law would mean that it would have to be touched. Improvements would have to be made. We know now that funding is coming up short and that would have to be addressed. Since it has been a Republican position that we should not have social programs like Social Security, then they would have a chance to end it as we know it and put in something better or have nothing. A change could be made, depending on your view it could be better or worse.

Every funding bill would have to get reauthorized. Every government official would have his job scrutinized every 15 years. Just like in business or as I call it “the real world” management would be expected to perform to certain standards. If they do not then the program that they are administering would be ended and their jobs ended with the program.

Sounds like a change that may cause some problems but long term could produce a better government that represents the will of the public.

Change #16 - Better utilization of land

2008-07-19T09:29:00.000-07:00

I live in the Illinois .

When we have gone on vacation out west I have noticed that the median strips are used for growing grass and appear to be harvested by the local farmers.

I realize that growing grass in cities is impractical, but out on the highways it is not. In Illinois and eastern states I have not noticed the practice of growing and cutting “hay” on the highways.

If it was done it would save the taxpayers money. Eliminate politically connected jobs to have someone cut the grass on a regular basis, and cut down on fuel costs to cut the grass. I am sure that the farmers would only cut the grass when it was ready to be cut, and not on a schedule for purely aesthetic reasons. With ethanol becoming more prevalent, grow corn on the median strips. I don't need to see what is on the road coming the other direction. That might even stop the gawkers from slowing down every time anything happens in the oncoming lanes.

At some point in the future every inch of land that can have something grown on it will be utilized. By changing now we get ahead of the curve.

Change #15 - Turn off those lights!

2008-07-19T09:20:00.000-07:00

Space photos of Earth at night Pickens Plan is to replace the natural gas we use to generate electricity with wind power. We can then use the clean burning natural gas to power our cars. That would reduce our oil usage and importation.

The one sentence of the plan that caught my eye is that Mr. Pickens is building a wind farm that could replace 4 power plants.

Yet if we replace our refrigerators with new ones we could have 35 power plants idle.

I like his plan because it can be part of a plan to reduce our oil dependency.

I have another change that would accomplish some of what Mr. Pickens wants and could be accomplished immediately.

I will start with a question.

Does anyone really need to know where stores are in the middle of the night?

Is anyone going to Radio Shack at 3am? Then why is the Radio Shack sign on?

Why are all the mall parking lot lights on in the middle of the night? There are no cars parked.

Conservation was what was hoped for in the seventies when lights had to be turned off. Now we have conservatives telling us that they can spend their money on what they want and there should not be any rules on what they do. They call it a free market. I think they miss the point. By not having enough energy for all they make the commodity scarce and the price higher for everyone. Their selfishness hurts all of us.

Lets start to look at the changes that I have so far proposed.

I use natural gas to heat my home. By insulating I reduce that amount of natural gas used. That amount could be used to fuel a car. I would save on my electricity bill in the summer by reducing the A/C that I would need to keep the home cool.

I have bought new refrigerators and have reduced my electrical consumption.

I have slowed down and increased my gas mileage.

New electronic toys are no longer “instant on” and takes some getting used to, instant gratification has to wait.

New proper sized furnaces would save another 20% of my natural gas usage.

Having solar cells could double our electricity and could be mounted on everyone’s home.

The technology is here. The commitment to achieve energy independence is not. The

Pickens plan can be a change that we could embrace, but there are other easy or low hanging fruit that could be harvested at the same time that would give us the same results faster.

I am still waiting for my one seater electric car that will average 100mpg.

Change #14 - Energy-efficient appliances

2008-07-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

When you listen to news shows and other things on the radio or TV at times a single sentence you hear that is out of the ordinary.

I have heard that if we figure inflation the same way as under Jimmy Carter then inflation is at 10-11%. That is why things are so expensive. Information that explains high food bills and explains other economic problems.

I heard something else that would affect our daily lives and help us with our energy needs. I heard that if everyone in the US bought a new energy efficient Refrigerator that the energy saved would be equal to 35 power plants.

I do not know if these power plants would be equal to a nuclear power plant, but if they are then we could save 35% of the new nuclear power plants that has been proposed by John McCain, without the environmental hazards of nuclear power.

Something as simple as getting a new refrigerator can lead us to energy independence.

The easiest way to get new power is to use the power that you have more wisely. In other words CONSERVE.

What a change that would be.

change #13 - Road construction

2008-07-09T20:40:00.000-07:00

Road construction. . .

we have all sat in the traffic caused by road construction. What is exasperating is that the same roads get rebuilt every 5-10 years. Why don't roads last longer? Is it the cost or do we plan obsolescence. Is this a political ploy to keep construction workers busy?

With all the roads and bridges that need repair would it not be best to not have to repair the same roads over and over? Our new I 355 extension here in Illinois is one of the worst new roads I have ever driven on. There are so many bumps and dips, it should be repaved right now.
Are there no standards? No quality control? Or does the state merely hope that a new road is built correctly?

Being around Chicago it is a possibility that someone made some money under the table to not look properly at the roads. The road construction company could be politically connected.
What needs to change is that the construction company guarantees that the road will last and will at its cost make any and all repairs if need be. If they try to declare bankruptcy, then people go to jail. Mandatory sentencing just as if they were drug dealers.

Change idea #12 - LED bulbs

2008-07-04T09:23:00.000-07:00

At the moment, CFL’s are all the rage.

Compact fluorescent lights save energy because they put out 4 times the light as an incandescent bulb for the same amount of energy. The cost is finally coming down on CFL’s for the electricity savings.

I think that we should bypass this intermediary step. We should go direct to LED bulbs. You know those hockey puck-type lights they sell for under the cabinets, etc. They are also used on battery operated trouble lights. Manufacturers use LED’s because they give off a lot of light and can be run off of batteries. LED’s use a little bit of power.

Before the advent of computers and other electronic devices that are on all the time, lighting for the home was a big part of a homeowner's electricity cost. LED’s would greatly reduce that cost.

If we are to make a change in type of bulbs then lets make a big change.

Change idea #11- More nuclear power plants

2008-06-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here is a change idea from John McCain.

John McCain has proposed that we should build 45 new nuclear power plants now and up to 100 new plants total.

McCain’s reasoning is that nuclear power would give us a clean source of energy. No emissions.

We should applaud McCain on the realization that we need more power and that cars of the future will be powered by electricity. His use of nuclear power will have zero carbon emissions. From my readings France has already gone the route of having nuclear power be their main source of energy. So the idea is feasible.

However, I have reservations about nuclear energy:

1) The cost to decommission a nuclear power plant is prohibitive. So far that cost has not been in any electric bill. When the cost of electricity doubles because of those costs, people will want to hang the regulators that did not allow those costs to be spread over the life of the plant. And/or the politician that put us on the course of nuclear power.

2) America still has no plan to dispose of nuclear waste.

3) Our nuclear power plants are not well protected now from terrorists, why would having 100 more be safer?

4) Companies are always trying to cut costs. This is not a plan that can fall into that mentality. My electricity company has been fined for not doing what they were supposed to do regarding training and maintenance.

If you all have ideas for change of your own, please post them.

Change idea #10 - hydrogen/electric small cars

2008-06-30T08:46:00.000-07:00

Hydrogen cars are one option.
Here is how I have heard hydrogen cars work.
Hydrogen burns, creates energy that runs an electric motor that runs the car. Waste product is H2O. So what you have is an electric car with a different power source. It takes more energy (electricity) to break the bonds of H2O to get Hydrogen, than you get back when you make H2O. So having a hydrogen-powered car costs more energy than running an oil car. If we had 7 times the electricity that we have now then going to a hydrogen-based fuel makes sense (like having solar panels on every home).

But what is first needed is a credible electric car.
I would like to see a one-person electric car that can go 200 miles per charge. 200 miles because I live up north and batteries lose ½ their charge when it gets cold. Since I live 32 miles from work I would like to have a cushion of a few extra miles.

Cut the Smart Car in half and we have a car that is super efficient. I take myself with a lunch with me to work. Why do I need the extra space? Why does anyone need the extra space? Equivalent MPG would be near 100mpg. And I have read that the cost to charge the car would be $.50. You would have smaller car, that has less weight, shuts off at stop lights, is aerodynamic, and would be a perfect commuter car.

I must be still asleep, because this sounds like a dream because it makes to much sense.

Change idea #9 - Eliminate high school

2008-06-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

High School is for sports, drivers Ed, and chasing girls.

Biology, Chemistry and Physics are College courses.

When you enter your first College English course the instructor tells you to forget everything that you learned in HS because it is wrong.

Every Mathematics course above Geometry is a College level course.

Accounting in a College course.

Foreign language studies are College courses.

The government requirement in High School can be met by taking similar courses in College.

Physical Education HS courses are a waste of time.

Study Hall in HS is a waste of time.

Lunch time in HS is a waste of time.

Dealing with unreasonable rules and teachers is what you learn in HS. Get a job and learn the same thing. Join the military and learn how to deal with unreasonable rules and superiors.

I just read that education is what will turn our economy around. Eliminate four years of useless education, provide for free State college tuition and the education level of Americans will rise.

(My three kids skipped high school and did as well those who went to high school, or better. Received their Associates Degrees while those of their same age were receiving high school diplomas. There are ways around the system.)

Change idea #8 - More available drinking water

2008-06-26T18:39:00.000-07:00

I live near Lake Michigan . We have Lake Michigan water to drink. This are probably has one of the drinking water on this planet.

Others in this country do not have enough water. Areas of this country are losing their aquifer because we are growing vegetables in the desert. At some time this source of water will dry up. What are we to do?

With as I have proposed, 7 times the electricity that we have now we could have desalination plants that could provide as much water as needed, where it is needed.

Solutions to many problems come from having the right resources to do what needs to be done. Changing our way of getting energy could provide many opportunities for economic growth that other countries could not match.

I do not believe that John McCain's $300 million dollar prize to make a new battery is an incentive at all, but by proposing a reward, that idea has been brought to the forefront of discussion. With discussion can come ideas, with ideas can come plans, with plans can come solutions. Our country needs to start solving problems, not putting up roadblocks to gain political points.

Change idea #7 - Line dry clothes

2008-06-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Simple ideas are the easiest.

Many municipalities will not allow residents to dry their clothes outside. Like mine.

Change the laws to allow this so that gas or electricity can be saved drying clothes.

Simple change, big returns.

Change idea #6 - Better insulate homes

2008-06-25T20:27:00.000-07:00

I go to home shows to see what is new and get ideas on what to do with my home.

One of the sales people at a recent show I went to said he wanted to come to my house to give an estimate for ceiling insulation. So I made an appointment for him to come over. I have R-19 insulation in my ceiling which is probably normal for homes built 20 years ago. The new standard in my territory is R-49.

Supposedly, I would save 20-30% on my heating and air conditioning if I better insulated my attic.

Since I am a do-it-your-selfer, the cost to insulate my home with blow-in insulation to the recommended depth to get R-49 would cost me about $400.

20% off my gas bill would be $20 per month. In less than 2 years I would have saved what it costs me to upgrade my insulation. Any business would love that Return on Investment.

What gets me is that new homes are not insulated to the standards put forth by our government. Saving energy should be a change that is paramount to our national security.

Better insulating homes is a simple, low cost way to get started on that path.

Change idea #5 -- Legalize industrial hemp

2008-06-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Industrial hemp is a cousin to cannabis and can only be grown in this country if there is 24-hour security and many other needless regulations.

Our drug police cannot tell the difference.

Industrial hemp grows where other crops will not grow.

In America we have many areas that fall into that category, nothing will grow there.

But Industrial hemp will grow there and is a cash crop that could put the owners of those lands into profitability.

From what I have read, Hemp is used in many products and we cannot import as much as is needed.

Politicians will not support a change in the law because they do not want to be labeled as a drug pusher.

Let's change this because it's the right thing to do and not keep our heads in the sand because of fear.

Change Idea #4 - Balancing environmental/economic concerns with an energy reality

2008-06-19T06:49:00.000-07:00

I just read that Congress will not allow drilling off the coast of Florida .

There is already drilling off of the coast of Florida but Americans are not doing it. How will they stop the Cubans who are drilling 90 miles off of the coast? Let's kill Castro and annex Cuba , that will stop the oil drilling? Wait, that was already tried and failed (killing Castro). Besides, any oil spill will only go south and pollute somewhere else, I believe that one?

Not drilling off of the coast of Florida or in Alaska without an alternative energy policy is short-sighted. Drilling off the coast of Louisiana is ok, an oil spill will not go east and pollute Florida or any other state. DUH?

All sources of oil need to be found and used. That policy along with a plan to be like Iceland and no longer be dependent on oil for heating or driving around should be part of our overall energy policy.

Instead of no drilling because of environmental concerns, how about responsible drilling that takes into account environmental concerns. Intelligent compromise.

Do what is best for the country not what gets you elected. That debate is not heard.

Democrats for the environment, Republicans for big oil. There is never any compromise.

Change idea #3 - Solar panels on every new home.

2008-06-17T06:33:00.000-07:00

Bill Nye the science guy said that if every home in America had solar panels we would provide 7 times the electricity that we have now.GE has said that if Arizona was covered in their solar panels we would double the amount of electricity in America. Many of my other ideas for “change” depend on the use of electricity. So getting a clean source of electricity is important.

By requiring solar panels on every new home the solar panel industry can be jump started, prices will come down and soon every home will have them. If you can afford the price of a new home then $20,000 for a solar panel installation can be afforded.

No new Nuke plants, no new coal fired plants, no new oil fired plants to generate electricity. This is one step on the way to energy self reliance.

Here again, the government has to make some people do what they do not want to do. For those who do not want government regulation, those people need to have a nuclear power plant/coal plant in their back yard. Of course, no complaints on your green-colored skin will be accepted.

Change #2 -- I can't drive 55

2008-06-17T03:14:00.000-07:00

I actually remember when the speed limit was 55 and when we turned off lights to save energy. Anyone else remember that a few decades ago?

I did a test with my 2006 Impala that has a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine. I was going to Rockford 3 days in a row on business. My car has a feature that will tell you what your MPG currently is and also an overall total. I drove to Rockford at different speeds each day. (67, 62, and 57 mph) At 67 mph my gas mileage was a little over 31 MPG. At 57 mph my gas mileage was a little over 38 MPG. That's 22% better gas mileage at the slower speed.

My son recently slowed down on the highway and his gas mileage also went up on his 2001 Neon at about the same percentage.

If we cannot slow down on our own, it would be best for all of us if the government lowered the speed limit back to 55. Just look at how much fuel will be saved if everyone just slowed down.

Ideas for change #1 - Eliminating cash money

2008-06-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Benefits of eliminating the use of cash money

I have been thinking about the financial benefits (as well as convenience) if we did away with paper and coin money and make all transactions via plastic/debit card.

This would eliminate the underground or cash economy.

Many people do jobs that they get paid cash for. They do not claim this as income and do not pay taxes on this money.

I have read that the underground economy is as large as the normal economy. Getting tax income from this underground economy could double the governments income.

Since all transactions are on plastic they can be monitored.

Organized crime and the corner drug dealer can no longer get paid in cash.. Illegal immigrants and those on fixed time Visas either could not pay for anything or get paid because the illegals could not get a card and the people here on student Visas card would expire.

Sounds like big brother? If the government wanted to they could track most of your money now. It would not affect those of us who follow the rules.

With the extra income social security would be solvent and that would no longer be a political football that each party uses to its advantage.

We could have tax cuts.

We could balance the budget and pay off the debt. No longer indebted to the Chinese.

Free health care for all Americans.

The arts could be funded.

With free health care small businesses would be more competitive with other companies in the world.

Supplemental policies to provide the same coverage most of us expect would be offered and could be purchased by companies or individuals.

So, what are your opinions or thoughts?

Help make change a reality

2008-06-13T18:35:00.000-07:00

This is the year of change in our political spectrum.

At least that is the word that is used.

I am a skeptic and politicians use words to get elected, make empty promises they do not intend to keep, and leave those of us who have believed in them, disillusioned.

The main political parties are soon going to have their respective conventions and to help make change a reality I think I can come up with 30 ideas of change.

My criteria will be:

1) Will the implementation of the idea cause or create a climate of positive change for our country. At least my idea of positive change, open for discussion?

2) Will the idea help or benefit the majority of the people in the USA. Is the idea good for the country?

Because the Republicans are so far to the right and the Democrats are so far to the left my ideas will not please everyone. But if everyone can look at the idea and determine if the idea benefits the majority of the people then political dogma needs to be left at the door.

Remember CHANGE is the buzzword and to change at some point compromise is needed. Maybe political compromise will be the first idea.

So the questions that will need to be asked are:

1) Is the idea feasible?

2) Is the idea a change or will promote a change?

3) Can the idea be made better?

4) Will the idea help the country for the long term?

Intersections

2007-04-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

Getting older, getting paid salary I do not have to rush to work anymore.
Having a car that has a mpg indicator makes driving a game.
How many mpg's can I get by driving conservatively.
Accelerate moderately, coast to a stop, stay close to the speed limit, use the cruise control are some of the things that I do. In todays world I get passed alot.
What bothers me the most happens at intersections.
Waiting for the light to change many people inch forward, and inch forward and inch forward until they are halfway across the intersection. Then the light changes to green. I sit in my car and yell just run the red light. If someone was coming from the left they would broadside you anyway. You are in such a hurry, just go. And then to piss them off when the light turns green I pass them from my spot behind the white line.
Driving is a game.

Don Imus

2007-04-14T20:15:00.000-07:00

After a week of the Imus story the news people are finally starting to ask the right questions. I have several observations. Picking Rev. Jackson and Rev. Sharpton as spokepersons for the black community is stupid. Jackson does nothing that does not get him, his family or personal friends something. If he met with CBS or MSNBC or made calls to corporations to get them to stop advertising my question is "what pound of flesh was given to him?" Seeing as Sharpton is not from around here I do not know how he operates.
One of the things I do know is that they both condemned the Lacrosse students at Duke and so far as I have seen on TV neither has made a public apology. Seeing as apologies are no longer means to keep ones job they both should be dismissed on any type of TV news reports.
As I have never listened to Imus, or Stern or Dahl because shock jocks are not my type or radio, exactly what are people to expect from these people? Just to play songs, read the weather and give traffic reports?? Seeing as none of the listeners to the Imus broadcast complained his listeners should be mad at CBS and MSNBC. As the sponsors left the show maybe the listeners will do exactly what Jackson and Sharpton were threatening--- boycott their products.
I for one watch MSNBC in the early evening, Tucker and Matthews. Not this past week because I did not see a story that required any attention. The non Imus story was the main thrust of each show.
Because CBS and MSNBC were blackmailed in the literal sense I think that I will also boycott by not watching programs on those channels.
Will Fox news convert me? or do I have to reverse 180 degrees whatever is reported to get to the truth?

I Wonder

2006-10-04T17:39:00.000-07:00

A few things make me wonder.

Republicans run on a platform of high moral ground, fiscally conservative, better military and being on the right side of contrived Xian issues( Abortion and Gay marriage).

In my opinion high moral ground does not include lying. GW is either totally kept in the dark, overly optimistic about Iraq or is just plain lying. That means that he is stupid( kept in the dark), told what to say ( overly optimistic), or as President knows what is going on and CHOOSES to lie. All have been said about him, but the first two do make make sense for someone who is President. As leader and chief representative of his party, hih moral ground is not where he stands.

The Republicans have total control of the representative branches of government and are changing the judicial branch. Is there a spending bill that they do not like? They have changed the laws so that big business can make excessive profits. What bills have the Republican congress passed that have helped all Americans? Reduction of taxes with mounting deficits is worse than having your credit cards maxed out and having bill collectors calling for payment.

Our military is broken. Worn out equipment and personnel do not equal a military that is the best in the world. Republican solution? Stay the course!

Abortion rates are higher in the Xian right wing conservative states than in the blue states. Sounds to me that they are trying to legistrate controls on themselves because they do not have enough self control. God is not helping them, so they need the government to make it illegal. ( Like that is going to help?)

Who cares about gay marriage? People who are not sure of their own sexual orientation? Someone who is confused? Sounds to me like a church going fundamentalist. Those who go to church are looking to belong to something. How to be better and more associated in a group than to persecute another group.

These are the issues that are the core of Republicanism. It is clear to me that campaign rhetoric does not meet reality.

How can a Xian fundy throw out what he is taught to be his core values and vote only on the fringe subject issues of Abortion and Gay rights?

Fake Indignation

2006-06-26T17:35:00.000-07:00

Is not the news interesting?
We see 5 days after the story broke, about the government secrectly monitoring bank transfers, Bush and and his monkey Cheney crying about the leak of this pogram to the American people. Did it take 5 days for someone to explain what was written in the newspapers to these two?
Did it take 5 days for Rove to come up with a response to help Bush in the polls?
Did it take 5 days for the right wing media to be briefed so that all the indignation could be focused?
What is really interesting is the right wing person on Hardball, who wants charges of treason to be brought against the newspapers, saying that anyone with a brain could figure out that this was happening. Does this mean that Bush and his monkey Cheney do not have a brain?
All of the experts on the show said that this monitoring program is all but obsolete because the terrorists know it exists and have changed their methods to avoid detection. In fact it was suggested that this program has been of limited use for some time( 1 to 2 years).
It was also reported that once the administration knew it was going to be reported they tried to leak it to other newspapers.
I believe that this indignation is false. It is bad politics. I also believe that America is catching on to this ruse. The rest of the world has caught on but the administrations hold on the media here has slowed the flow of information to the American people.

Tax Cuts

2006-06-15T17:08:00.000-07:00

Conservatives continue to tell us and pass laws that tax cuts are in the best interest of the USA.
I disagree. They did not work in the 80's and we can look forward to tax increases from the next three presidents to turn the tide on runaway deficits. ( to many recent tax cuts)
What interested me was a report on the Philippines. Not to long ago it was the second richest nation in SE Asia, right behind Japan. It is now one of the poorest. How did this happen? The tax rate was at 17% and is now 12%. There is not enough government income to take care of Government buildings or to keep the gutters clean of garbage. Obviously there is not enough money to provide the services that we expect. Conservatives have argued that by lowering taxes economies would grow and tax revenue would increase. The Philippines shows that arguement is incorrect. ( Where is all the new businesses? Somewhere where government is effective.)
Many people in the Philippines do not pay their taxes at all and there is corruption in the tax system. With the new tax cuts in the USA many rich people no longer have to pay taxes and only the rich can use and abuse the tax loopholes that are provided for their benefit.
Conservatives feel that taxes is their money spent unwisely on others. They would like to have all of their taxes returned to them and to hell with the government and everyone else. That is of course unless they are on the public dole. Then they only want programs cut that do not affect them. This leads me to believe that the rise of Conservatism coincided with the "me" generation.
At some point in time responsible citizens grow up and realize that they are not alone here in this country and providing needed services improves the life of all. (Even those that never collect a nickel).

What is the Truth?

2006-05-30T18:08:00.000-07:00

5/30/2006
Our Republican President has told us that the economy is going great. New jobs are being created, interest rates are still low, the stock was approaching 12,000 and all is well.

5/28/2006 The Chicago Tribune a conservative Republican paper on its front page posted " Mortage Defaults on Rise." Why? Increasing debt, interest rates and job losses.

It would be easy for me to stop right here, but I will not. In this country is a debate on Illegal immigration and the effect it has had on American jobs, not just the loss of jobs but the declining pay for jobs as employers seek out and find illegals to work for less than the normal wage. What is not factored in to the rosy economy is those that are not working and have used up their unemployment benefits and are no longer counted as " Unemployed." How about those that have lost their jobs and have found work at a substantial decrease in earnings and are working multiple jobs to try and live a decent lifestyle. These people are also not in the rosy economic portrait that the Republicans portay.

It may be true that those people are always not counted but it is from my experience that those numbers are higher now than they have been in the past. Why have charge card companies raised there minmum payments?? Because of laws passed by this Republican congress. Is this a good thing? Not if you are on the edge of defaulting on your bills.

Could Dick Cheney's secretive meeting with " energy " corporation heads have been a precusor to our high gasoline bills? Bush and Cheney are both oilmen, and all know that Bush's family is tied to mideast oil. Could the Iraq war been undertaken to cause unease in the oil markets? The problem went out of control when Muslims took the call to come to Iraq and kill Americans. Iraq still does not produce as much oil as Saddam did under an Embargo! More troops from the beginning to protect Iraq's only asset not only makes sense, but would be a prudent course of action if your stated belief is to have the Iraq oil production finance the war, as was spoused by Bush cabinet members.

Bush's tax cuts. The rich get richer and the middle class loses. Our federal taxes have gone down slightly ( my case I counted $3 a week) but my local taxes have gone up and the state I live in has a huge deficit that limits outlays on critical programs. All of this while the federal government balloons with deficits the size that have never been seen before skyrocket.

But smile and chuckle Mr. president as jobs are lost to China and India as you continue to spout that our economy is going great.

What Went Wrong?

2006-05-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

5/28/2006
Madeline Albright was on TV the other night promoting her new Book. What interested me the most was her answer to a question "What is the result of our actions in Iraq?" Her answer "that other countries have realized that if they do not want to get invaded by the USA they have to have Nuclear weapons."

Someone might say that Libya might be a contrast to that statement but I would disagree. Libya has been under sanctions since Ronald Reagan. Finally, Libya realized the benefits of rejoining the international community.

Some Republicans think we are safer because we have attacked the terrorists where they live. In Afghanistan, that would have been true if we had finished the job. In Iraq, I think otherwise. We have created more terrorists (walk a couple of miles and kill Americans) and now more radical countries that we cannot attack (Iran) are going after nuclear weapons to prevent themselves from being attacked by the USA. This has not made us more safe!

Bush is finally realizing that his cowboy words and attitudes do not work in international relations. Diplomacy and reason, not shoot first and ask questions later, is the way to make change in the world.

This may prove the case that first appearances cannot be reversed. With Bush's declining popularity at home, other countries mistrust of Bush's intentions, Condoleeza's involvement with the doctoring of information taking us to war, the USA's foreign policy will leave the USA in flux until a different administration takes over. If that administration is seen as a continuation of this one then I see nothing but more problems dealing with the radical portions of the international communities.

A major shakeup of the Bush administration, Rice and Rumsfeld gone, would be seen as a change for the better and real progress could be made from then on in international relations. But Bush is stubborn and nothing will be done. He thinks that Gawd is on his side and he cannot make a mistake. It is a shame that he cannot realize that the Constitution said separation of Church and State actually has a deeper meaning. I hope that out next President is not just an astute politician but an intelligent astute politician.

Liberal or Conservative?

2006-05-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

Democrat or Republican?
Liberal or Conservative?
Tax and Spend or Spend and Spend?
Balance the budget and have surpluses or tax cuts and growing deficits?
For Social Security or Against Social Security?
Use facts to go to war or Only use the right facts to go to war?
Evolution or Creationism?
Follow the law or break the law?
Right to choose or absolute control?
Live and let live or Biblical control?

Bush is still sinking (31%) now. Why one must ask? When Bush ran as a man of principles and honesty as a platform little did we know that it is only a lie if he says it is a lie.
Illegal wire tapping is like illegal immigrant, it is illegal. Bush does not get it. A supposed man of principles that carelessly breaks the law has no credibility. Bush being the champion of the Republican conservative right makes me proud to be called a liberal, hippie, socialist, communist or any other such labels that republicans throw out to try and win their case when facts and common sense do not work.

Bush's record of fighting terrorists is abysmal. He is not fighting them on their soil, he is creating more of them whose only objective is to kill the infidels. Afghanistan is slinking back into turmoil( did not all the Taliban get killed?), Iraq is on the verge of civil war, and Iran wants to be a superpower whose intent is to destroy the West. Without support from his own people, without afore mentioned credibility Bush is powerless to deal with any problem. As a nation we can only hope that our next President has the respect, honesty and dignity to lead our nation thru these problems. Those qualities will be necessary to lead the world to acceptable, comprehensive solutions.

Letter to Senator Kennedy Concerning Education

2006-04-30T17:55:00.000-07:00

4/23/2006

Mr. Kennedy:

I saw your appearance on Meet the Press.

I have the answer to the question on how to fund a college education for a majority of young Americans.

My oldest son dropped out of High school at the end of his sophomore year. That summer he started at the local Junior college( Joliet Junior College, JJC).

The next year his brother (1 year younger) dropped out of High school in January of his sophomore year.

Several weeks later my daughter dropped out of 8^th grade. My wife made sure that they were both ready to take the English entrance exam at JJC. My son passed the Math and English entrance exams and my daughter only the English exam. They both entered JJC that summer. My daughter took College Biology during the summer, a 6 week course, and received a “B” grade.

All of my children graduated from JJC. Because my daughter was so far ahead she decided to take three years instead of the normal two.

My daughter wants to be a professional trumpet player. She took one year off of school and applied and was accepted at The Curtis School of Music. After graduating from there she was accepted and will graduate this year from Yale University with a Masters in Music degree.

My point is that High Schools teach College courses. Math courses above Geometry, Biology , Chemistry and Physics, Accounting, History, Social Science and English are all College courses. If these courses were taught as college courses in HS, college credit would be given for them. Every young American who spent their time in High School would leave with a minimum of an Associate Degree.

What would the cost be? In our area the cost to educate a student in High School for one year starts at about $7,000. The cost to attend JJC with books for two semesters is about $3,000. The overcrowding of high schools could be eliminated by having students attend school all day long, just like college. They could even go all year long, just like college. They could take a course and fail it, without penalty just like college.

The smart students could finish early and attend college for the $7,000 that is paid now for their HS education, if they went to State Colleges.

Drawbacks?? Not every student is ready or has the parental support to accomplish the tasks ahead of them. This can be said now with the current system. In Illinois they would have to eliminate Gym from the curriculum. I also believe that you would receive much resistance from the teachers unions. As a Democrat are you willing to go against a major supporter?

This is my program in a nutshell.

If you wish to further discuss this with me feel free to contact me.

If you wish to have a face to face meeting, tell me when and where and I will be there. This is something that I believe will work and I will use vacation and gas money if needed to try and explain and promote this idea.

Thanks for your time,

XXX X XXXXXX