Ford Truck Woman

You know the whole "GM vs Ford" thing. You either grow up a strict GM driver/Ford hater or vice-versa.

Yes, you can get disowned if you buy a Ford in a GM family. I've never understood it, but it's an unwritten law.

So, when we bought our Ford truck and then our Mercury (both used), we knew we were playing with fire. Both sides of our family are passionate GM people.

Ford is a four-letter word, after all.

However, we didn't buy them for the shock value, but just because we tested drove a bunch, and they were the best vehicles for the best price.

I never regretted it, really. But now I have even more of a reason to love my Fords.

Ford is saying NO to the bailout.

Now if anyone gives us wants to give us flak about owning Fords, I can hold my head up proudly, and say, "and how is that Obama-0-mobile treating ya?"

I plan on writing Ford, praising them for not taking Obama's sticky string cheese handout. And I will send a copy to GM as well. We should praise, and praise often, those companies, banks and states that will not take a bailout or stimulus money. To really show our support, we should BUY from these companies.

And buy "Made in USA" as often as possible. Look, we have the internet, there are more "made in USA" products than you realize. Seek them out whenever possible.

SOMEONE HELP ME BEFORE MY BRAIN EXPLODES

http://www.hulu.com/watch/64244/presidential-press-conferences-i-think-before-i-speak-mar-24-2009

Ok, the CNN reporter asked about his (Obama's) delayed anger against AIG & and the concern of the huge debt that Obama is creating for the next generation.

Folks, if Obama's answer isn't Double Speak, I don't know what is! PLEASE someone explain to me, because, seriously, I'm a financial dummy...HOW "reducing health care costs" is going to help our HUGE debt?!? Especially, after he says "let's invest in this and that." Doesn't that mean we are spending MORE money???

"Reducing costs in the back end"? Back end, huh. Reminds me of 95% of Congress.

In response to the AIG part of the question: "It took us a couple of days (to express anger) because I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak.". Translation: I didn't have a Teleprompter handy and y'all know what happens when I open my mouth without reading it off a cue card first. Haha!

Quote of the Day

We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK. That's not leadership. That's not going to happen.- Obama

Umm, I think that is the scariest quote I have ever seen. I saw this looking for quotes on "Brainyquote. com" After further research, I found that this quote was said at a Oregon pre-election rally; he was trying to woo the environmental nazis, I guess.

AGAIN, I want to stress that I'm all for saving the planet. I love the little birds and trees and clean air. What I'm worried about is, and this quote renforces this concern, is our freedoms needlessly taken away for the sake of preserving the environment.

So....we can't drive SUV's. Ok, well, who wants to drive an SUV? They are gas hogs, and most people don't buy them anyway. That being said, I have a SUV, a kickin' black Mercury Mountainer. I love it; with the black paint and silver chrome, I call it my "Hip-HopMobile." However, it's practical too; with two kids, a dog, and a small business where I have to haul things back and forth, I don't think I could be without it. How the heck could I haul everyone and everything in one of those "smart cars"? I'd have to buy 2 or 3 smart cars to make up for it, and that defeats the point, doesn't it?

We CAN'T keep our house at 72 degrees? Since when is 72 degrees unreasonable? I mean, other people gasp when I tell them that I keep my house at 64 degrees in the winter. And believe me, it's a little chilly, but we have to do what we have to do to keep in our means. I can't imagine how much our energy bill is going to jump once this "cap and trade" bill is in effect.

Sounds like he is talking about...and correct me if I'm wrong, not just kindly suggesting that we , as individuals, should try to be good stewards and conserve when and where we can. The idea that is coming cross here is, that he (as a good leader) intends to FORCE conservation. How? By raising taxes on energy providers. If that doesn't work, he may introduce laws that will fine individuals that use more than their fair share of energy every month. If you are a little chilly or your child is sick, and you turn your thermostat to 73 for a few days, the government will slap you with a $100 fine. Or maybe, they will make sure furnaces CAN'T go above 72 degrees by installing chips that will automatically turn off furnaces above a certain temperature.

As far as not eating as much as we want, maybe the Era of Solvent Green is here. Ok, that's gross, but seriously...

Will he start rationing food? Will we get a food allowance? What the heck does he intend to do to stop us from getting our fill of food?

Look, he's not saying "you people should do this, and I suggest this.." He is saying "THAT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN". You have no choice. You WILL comply.

What Alarms Me

-Fairness Doctrine: Killing free speech and calling it "fair."

-Calling people who endorse a third party candidate "dangerous" and a "probably in a militia group"

- The young people today who don't know their history and are lucky if they know who the VP or the Speaker of the House. (Some of the same people who voted for Obama)

-The government slowly outlawing things they deem "bad for you", i.e., trans fats and smoking. Making you wear a seat belt and motorcycle helmet. Talk Radio. If I want to die a fat, wheezing, paraplegic, genius...the government has no right to stop me!!!

-The IRS. Not because I don't pay my taxes or cheat on my return. But I don't like the idea of them looming around like some kind of Financial Gestapo, ready to strike.

-ACORN-Obama's Brown Shirts

-The government throwing around billions of dollars like it's pennies in the street.

List of Socialist Countries

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_countries

You tell me if these are places you would like to live. I didn't see one that was appealing to me.

Get My Coat...I'm Going to Go Shovel Some Global Warming!

My Grandmother Poulin is a spry 88 year old woman. She makes the best damn yeast rolls on the planet; old school, with real lard. You ask her for the recipe, she'll say, I don't have a recipe. The only way you can get the recipe is by watching her and writing down what she does. I did that, but my efforts to reproduce the "Rolls of Heaven" failed miserably.

Thoughts of these rolls are making both my eyes and mouth water, so I'll get to the point.

My Grandmother has a keen mind and a keener sense of humor. She lives back in Central Maine...

Ok, I want to stress CENTRAL , because Central and Northern Maine is where most of the real Mainers live, the Salt of the Earth. They haven't been completely taken over by the Mass-holes yet. Not yet. The weather and mosquitoes are deterring them a little, Thank God. Mosquitoes are our state bird, by the way. Oh please, do not let this deter YOU from a vacation to the beautiful state. They definitely need the Tourism revenue since it's one of the few industries left; Maine loves to tax businesses to the ground. If you want to survive in Maine, here are your three career choices: Medical industry, Government Job, or Wal-Mart....hey, could this be a glimpse into the the near future for the rest of the nation?

Anyway... I don't get to visit with her as often as I like to.

On the phone, usually we discuss three things: 1)the family, 2)politics and 3) the weather.

So, as always, I inquired about the weather, and she said, "Oh we have global warming here. I see two feet of it outside my window."

So we joked about how we should bring Al Gore up to Maine, plant him in a 10 foot snowbank for a week, and see how he feels about Global Warming then.

I'm no scientist, but I have a degree in Wildlife Ecology, and I definitely believe that man can have a negative impact on wildlife. I think we should all recycle, conserve, and be good stewards of the earth. What I DON'T agree with is this RABID Neo-Nazi movement to FORCE us into submission.

Here are some examples:

San Francisco's "Spare the Air" days, where they actually have "fireplace police" patroling to see if you have smoke coming from your chimney. Yes folks, you can get fined to lighting a fire in your fireplace.

10 cent tax for each plastic bag you use at the grocery store. Maine is proposing this, because apparently, they don't have enough to tax people on.

*************************And when I try to do the "right thing".**********************
Everyone is majorly pushing energy efficient light bulbs, which I use. Ok, I like using them and I have no problem with them. HOWEVER, they are supposed to be disposed of in a special way and in a special place because of the MERCURY inside them. Right now, I have 3 burned out bulbs that I have NO idea what to do with because there aren't any local recycling places for these bulbs. So, I could drive an hour and fill the air up with carbon in the process?!?

Can we say, lack of foresight?

Also, I would love to have solar panels on my home. I'm sick of paying the high electric bills (even with all my mercury-filled light bulbs!) I've been doing research and trying to get someone to give a quote. PA has no helpful info on this and the contractors I have contacted tell me that they don't cover my area.

*********************Finally here's a headline for you.***********************************
"Explorers On Global Warming Expedition Stranded in North Pole by Cold Weather"-Fox News
This is a real story. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,509735,00.html

Line?

After his gaffe on Leno, Obama wrote this in his Blackberry diary:
"Note to self: Do NOT go anywhere without my teleprompter!"

Exit...stage left.

"Wasn't Me!" Yeah, right.

Oh please, Obama. You knew about these bonuses. All puffed up like an angry peacock, dancing your "I'm so indignant" dance. No one is buying it.

For months, the Obama administration and members of Congress have known that insurance giant AIG was getting ready to pay huge bonuses while living off government bailouts. It wasn't until the money was flowing and news was trickling out to the public that official Washington rose up in anger and vowed to yank the money back.....http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29754670/

Obama and the motley crew had another "closed-door" deal, trying to keep this all quiet. They knew that the bailout included these bonuses.

Would Hershey Bar Exist in Socialism?

What makes a man strive for success? Sometimes it's the need for power, sometimes just plain greed. But, I believe, most of the time, it is the dream of a better life.

Milton Hershey is one of my personal heroes. He came from very humble beginnings, with little education, but an incredible drive and determination to succeed.

"A successful entrepreneur...eventually. Following a four-year apprenticeship as a teenager to a Lancaster, Pennsylvania, candy maker, Hershey in 1876 attempted to start his own candy business in Philadelphia. Despite six years of hard work, it failed. So he moved to Denver and found work with a confectioner who taught him how to make caramels using fresh milk. He then started up a second candy business in New York City. It also failed. Undaunted, he returned to Lancaster and once again tried making a go of the caramel business. This time, it worked. Soon, his Lancaster Caramel Company was shipping all over the U.S. and Europe, employing 1400 people and turning him into one of the area’s leading citizens." From http://www.hersheys.com/discover/milton/milton.asp

It just amazes me that he failed so much, and had so little, but never stopped trying. Furthermore, once he succeeded, he gave generously to others. He made sure his workers were paid well and treated fairly. The town, Hershey, PA, was created around the company, and made especially for the workers. The town's infrastructure was especially built by Hershey to provide a community for the workers and their families.

Hershey’s success was not simply a matter of luck. Having learned from his past failures, he had become a shrewd and astute businessman. He believed, along with the more forward-thinking industrialists of the age, that workers who were treated fairly and who lived in a comfortable, pleasant environment would be better workers. Accordingly, he set upon building an infrastructure to take care of the people who were employed by his company. He had plans drawn up for a model community that included housing for executives and ordinary workers alike, schools, churches, parks, recreational facilities and a trolley system. Unlike other “company towns,” Hershey’s was not intended to exploit its resident workers, but rather to provide for their welfare. As time went on, Hershey saw to it that the town (named Hershey, naturally) added a community building, a department store, a convention hall, an amusement park, a swimming pool, and schools. Lots of schools. Excerpt from the same website.

Without Hershey's determination for success, Hershey PA would not exist. Hershey's charities, that still exist today, would not exist. And the most important (especially in the mind of a severe chocoholic) Hershey's Chocolate would not exist.

My question is this.....do you think that in a socialist environment, Hershey would have kept pursuing his dream? In an environment where is it understood that we should all be the same class and earn the same amount of money with little hope of advancement, would a man still have a burning drive to succeed? What would be the point to try over and over again to make a better life, when government provides everything and takes away everything you earn?

As a small (very very small) business owner myself, I'm scared. At this point, I end the year in the red, so there are no profits to speak of. I make enough to keep a hobby going, really. However, I think it's every business owners dream to "make it big". It is certainty my lofty dream. I would love to be supplying my products on a nationwide level, actually making money to provide for my family and give back to the community. But then I think, gee, if I ever go over that $250,000 margin, the government will swoop in like a hungry chicken hawk and grab my hard earned success. They already make it hard on businesses now, with all the taxes, rules and regulations.

The closer we move to socialism and big government, the more daunting the dream of being a business owner. I'm not sure I want all that headache.

Give me Socialism, and take away my American Dream. That is what I believe.

I'm not really sure what Hershey might or might not have done. It all comes down to, what drives us to succeed? I think it's a hope for something more. If there is no hope for something more, if the government holds all the cards, where is the drive?

(By the way, my website is www.muck-a-luck.com. Hey, I'm a capitalist...I had to plug my business in this article somewhere!)

What the????

Just when I thought I couldn't get more pissed off about AIG...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29697096/.

AIG execs still getting huge-ass bonuses. Yes, NOW. Right now. After we bailed them out twice. But, you know, our hands are tied.

But this, this is what really gets me:

"But he also told Geithner that he felt it could be harmful to the company if the government continued to press for reductions in executive compensation.
“We cannot attract and retain the best and brightest talent to lead and staff the AIG businesses, which are now being operated principally on behalf of the American taxpayers — if employees believe their compensation is subject to continued and arbitrary adjustment by the U.S. Treasury,” Liddy said.

Yes, because, you silly taxpayers, bigger salary guarantees competent, talented people that will never steer you wrong. Always. Liddy should know, right?

Stuck in My Throat

Trying to get together my thoughts today. I feel tightly wound, maybe because of too much caffeine, maybe another reason.

I was told in college, in a creative writing class, that I was "too sentimental" in my writing style. A nice way of saying, "you are too mushy, silly, and emotional."

I guess I tend hide beyond flowery words and expressions. Trying to be too clever, too sarcastic, or just too eager to impress. The last one, definitely.

Writing this blog has been a humbling experience, mostly because I fancied myself a good writer, with wise insight. After reading many other blogs, I've come to the conclusion that I was merely egotistical and kidding myself.

It's painfully harsh...a horse pill to swallow. And I wonder, how many other things am I wrong about in my thick fog of stubborness and ego?

Yeah, at first, I felt a little sorry for myself. And I hated that feeling. Gawd, I'm past this crap, aren't I? Haven't I gotten over myself in the past 37 years?

Am I a writer with shell of sarcasm and ego? Of sentimentally with no substance?

Purely rhetorical questions...but I need to answer them, somehow

If Everyone Was Chris Gardner.....

This country wouldn't need a bailout or hand out. We would pick up ourselves up from our boot straps, again and again, and never give up or sell out.

I saw Chris on Glenn Beck today. And if you haven't seen the movie "Pursuit of Happiness", you need to.

If we could all be like Chris, imagine what this world could be.

Time For a Bed Time Story, My Little Lambs....

YOU NEED TO SEE THIS!!
http://littledemocrats.net/

Once upon a time, there was this man who thought it would be great to brainwash children with his political beliefs (before they could grow up and think for themselves). This man wrote about cute little squirrels who always played fair and did what was right. Those saintly little critters called themselves "Democrats", and were the purest and best creatures in the land. Everyone else who disagreed with the Democrats were bad, uncaring, and WRONG. Mostly they were elephants called Republicans.
Then, one day, the evil elephants sat on the squirrels and made them into stew. Th' End!!! :P

I've been corresponding via e-mail with the author of these books ("Why Mommy is a Democrat," " Why Daddy is a Democrat"). I have no problem with the cute little critters and the author proclaiming how great the Democrats are. Well, I kinda of do, because it does imply that only Democrats play fair, care about people, and support policemen and firemen. But what I was extremely insulted with the subtle symbolism and undertones. Look at the sample pages.
Notice the elephant walking by, almost carelessly squishing the squirrel family. And the homeless man in the background of all the pictures...notice how the "snobby rich people" walk by, treating him like dirt. And the newspaper on the guy's bench, something about Bush. Is it me, or is he vilifying conservatives?
My first letter to him:
I’m not sure why you are trying to make conservatives into villains, but I do believe in playing fair, keeping people safe, and etc. I know PLENTY of Democrats that don’t want to play fair or keep people safe.

One Democrat I know is Mike Veon. He was a representative for Beaver County PA and gave himself a big fat pay raise when people in this county were trying to make ends meet. Do your research on this “fair player”. I think you will be impressed.

From reading your sample pages, I guess other things that Democrats believe in are backstabbing and brainwashing. I believe that you are UNFAIRLY grouping people into boxes that don’t fit.
(And on his website he says he uses "Non-judgemental" language in his books)Non-judgemental??? You know that a little child is going to have this mindset that Dems are nothing but good and everything else is evil and bad. That is the way children think.

You are not promoting unity, here. Kids need to be taught values and morals, not be brainwashed by politics.

His reply:
It's interesting that you talk about wanting to promote unity, but you've gone out of your way to tell me, someone you've never met, about a "bad" Democrat (as if I really needed to be informed that not every Democrat is good), and you appear to be trying to pick a fight with me. Perhaps you should practice what you preach before preaching it to others.

I used that example to show life is not black and white, as he portrays it. And expressing my opinion is "picking a fight"??

So...I wrote back....
You are teaching kids that things are black and white, not shades of grey. If there was a “Why My Mommy is an Republican” I would be just as disgusted.
That’s all I’m saying.

Peace.

But I wasn't satisfied with that wimpy reply, so I wrote yet another letter.....

It’s funny how you think I’m the one trying to “pick a fight” , when you are the one portraying conservatives as a bunch of heartless, dangerous stomping elephants and you Dems are the “cute little squirrels”. Oh and we hate the homeless people too, obviously. AND policemen and firemen. Your subtle symbolism and undertones is not lost on me. I admit I was a little upset at the time, and I should have expressed myself after I calmed down a bit. Sometimes my passion gets the better of me.

No, I never met you, and I try to represent everyone’s views. But this book you wrote obviously disrespects mine. It doesn’t just show what the Dems believe…it suggests that everyone else that disagrees with you are a bunch of evil, bad, uncaring people. I don’t believe that, and I don’t raise my children to believe that.

This is why I’m very sad about all this. Imagine someone writing a book about how white people are so nice and they believe in hard work, with some black people in the background of the illustration being lazy and mean. (Like the snobby rich white people walking by the homeless man.) It’s the same thing as far as I’m concerned and I’m extremely insulted.

But, hey, it’s America and it’s your right. We all have a right to be heard. Good luck with your books. If I were you, I’d donate your money to a nice charity, because Obama is proposing a change to raise the tax deductible on charity contributions; so people will be less likely to donate in the future.

Oh, and you need to stop being so defensive and realize just because someone wants to express an opinion, they aren’t necessarily “picking a fight”. I didn’t swear, threaten, or insult you.

Just answer me these two questions: Do you think all Republicans are bad? Can you deny this is what you want impressible children to think? Please, enlighten me. I’m serious, I really want to know.

Thank you for your time.

And he wrote back....

First of all, I'm white, so do you really think my intention was to insult white people? And I'd love to be rich (just like the Obamas, the Clintons, Warren Buffet, Bruce Springsteen, and lots of other Democrats), so do you really think my intention was to insult rich people? The difference between your example and the people in my book (who actually aren't doing anything other than minding their own business) is that nobody chooses to be black, and the fact that someone is black has no clear impact on anyone else's life. People do choose to be Republicans, however, and their choice affects public policy, so it affects everyone. Which is why I think it's important to make sure children understand why they ought to be Democrats.

No to the first question, and yes to the second. If I wanted children to believe all Republicans are bad, I'd have written it. There's a reason nobody in the book is doing anything especially bad, and a reason nobody in the book is labeled "Republican."Just answer me this one question: Have you shown any of my books to an impressionable child and asked "what is this book about"? Because, unless the child already has an impression of Republicans, the answer is going to be something about Democrats and/or Mommy or Daddy, and you won't hear anything about Republicans or conservatives being bad people.

Oi.

Duh, I know you weren't insulting white people. I just used that as an example to make a point. He won't address the symbolism he uses. He doesn't have to say "All Republicans are bad", his illustrations do it for him. I'm debating whether or not to write him back again. Frankly, I'm too busy having a life. However, I appreciate his reply and Thank God we still live in a country where he can express his views. I just hope we will have the same rights after Obama is done with us.....

I don't think all Democrats fit a box, I don't fit in a box. I care about people, the planet, and playing fair. There are bad politicians and good politicians, some that have values and morals, and some that don't.

I don't want the government taxing me to death, or telling me what school I have to send my kids to, or taking over my church because they don't agree with it.

Maybe I'm just a crazy elephant...

Rob From the Rich AND the Poor!

Excerpt from MSNBC.com "Nonprofits fret over Obama tax proposals"
The proposed change "could be a disincentive to some donors who might further cap their gifts on account of the new limit," said Diana Aviv, president and CEO of Independent Sector, a coalition of 600 charities, foundations and corporate philanthropy programs. "This could be a problem for many struggling nonprofits vital to our communities that are already facing a very difficult fundraising environment."
Many wealthy Americans weren't shocked when Obama's budget proposal called for raising their income taxes. But there was surprise — and some alarm — over a separate proposal to limit the deductions that couples earning more than $250,000 can claim for charitable gifts.
Under the plan, a donor in the highest tax bracket would save $280 on a $1,000 charitable deduction, instead of $396.

See there? Obama is an Equal Opportunity Robber. Well, it's all part of the Major Plan, people. And, although I'm not privy to any of his "closed door" meetings" (do you notice that there are an awful lot of "closed door" meetings. Is it just me?) I have a theory. When the charities start really hurting, Mr. Superman Government will step in and say, no problem, we'll bail you out (that is, if it is a charity we agree with) , but you need to go by our guidelines and rules AND...we want a cut of your donations.

You don't think this could happen? You think I'm loony? Trust me, I want to be wrong. Please please let me be wrong.

Oh, and he is going to increase the tax deduction for mortgages too. Great! Brilliant! When we are having a housing crisis...yeah, that makes sense.

Looky What I Found at the Dollar Store

I hated spending $2, but I thought it would be good for a laugh.

Ironic for two reasons....one, it's at the Dollar Store, which means they couldn't sell copies anywhere else...and two, the title of Edward Kennedy's book, published in 2006.

"Back on track?" Oh Ted, such wisdom! And Al.... people like you....NOT!

I Got Arrested For Ogling Hope and Change

I'm not sure you can tell or not, but I've been a tinny, tiny bit of a mood lately. Yes, this administration and bailouts have caused some of it. However, I think, for the most part, I'm a wanna-be "snowbird". I could stand one month of winter, and then I would like to move somewhere warm, like maybe Texas or the planet Mercury.
Winter is naturally indifferent to me, but my feelings for Winter are animosity, and bordering on psychotic fear. I breathe the warm air of Spring's promise and then my moment of happy bursts when I think, next winter is only 8 months away. Then, there is much hand wring and sighing. This phobia of winter has even invaded my summertime repose, as nightmares of endless blizzards. Phobias are usually fears of things that won't happen. My phobia is fear of something that definitely WILL happen. I have no peace.
Anyway, around February, I start looking for hope. I am a bird lover, and to me, the very symbol of hope and change is the common American Robin. Not so common in my mind, because it is one of the most beautiful sights a winter-hater like me can gaze upon. Its song is like a royal trumpet of Spring. One Robin is stunning and a flock is emotionally overwhelming.
Up until today, my search has been fruitless. We have had a few warm days here and there, but as far as I'm concerned, there is no hope for spring until I see that first Robin. I was getting a bit discouraged.
This morning, I took my new puppy, Dilly (a goldendoodle) for her daily walk/drag. She isn't a great walker yet, but we are slowly, painfully progressing. It was a fairly warm day, in the 50's, which lightened my heart a bit, but I was still skeptical for that hope of spring. My ears are always straining to hear that sweet warble or even twittering scold of My Springtide Bird. My eyes scanning every inch of yard and tree for that red color or familiar silhouette. Today, I wasn't disappointed. I heard it first; scolding call repeatedly, but not a tone of "Stay away", but rather, "Here I am....I'm finally here!" The poor dog was probably dragged a little more forcibly at this point, due to my eagerness to make sure my ears were truthful, and not just foolishly optimistic. There was just enough daylight to make out it's form, still announcing it's presence on a ornamental fence post. Still not satisfied, I had to get closer. I got as close as I dared, staring like a child stares at a ginormous, sparkly wrapped box on Christmas morning. As I gaped like a simpleton fool, I suddenly realized that beyond my stare was a house and their windows in my direct line of view. If anyone happened to look out one of those windows at this moment, they would see some hooded tall lady and her gagging fluff-ball of a dog, staring unabashedly right into their domicile.
I unwillingly turned my gaze away and moved on, still hungry to soak it all in, but not wanting to get a rep as the tall creepy lady who stares into people's houses. So, no, I didn't really get arrested....and yes, I'm sorry, I took a semi-break from political ranting.
If there is a moral here, it is this: Hope can be found in the simple things in life.
And... creepy tall ladies shouldn't stare too long at Robins.

For all you people that are blaming Evil Capitalism....

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/09/28/franks_fingerprints_are_all_over_the_financial_fiasco/
Capitalism isn't to blame for this. Sorry, all you sheep, but it's true. Wake up and smell the shit hitting the fan.....
and THEY think the solution is: Add more shit.
Sure people deserve homes. But when you start giving loans to people who can't afford to pay them back? I don't care if you white, black, etc...that's just plain stupid.
Let me be clear. Minorities are NOT to blame for this mess. I repeat, NOT. This isn't what I believe at all. I DO believe that alot of loans were given out to people who could not afford to pay them back. I also believe congress pressured many banks to do this, for the sake of "everyone deserves a home".
I remember working in the mortgage industry 8 or 9 years ago and the "no down payment" thing was really popular. My bosses said, nothing good can come of this. They saw it coming from a mile away.

1st Amendment Applies to ALL

http://www.newsweek.com/id/187342
Read this article. Now. Do it.

What do you think, people? Personally, I'm a little uncomfortable with the "Big Brother" tone of this article. Hey, I have no love of Bush. I'm not in the mentality that all Republicans are Saints and all Democrats are Devils. Personally, I think 90% of all politicians are inept or corrupt.
Whether he did this for the good of the people or for an excuse for martial law, I guess we will never know. And more to the point, does it matter WHAT his reason was? Is there a good excuse?

What gets me is some of the comments in response to this article. For some reason, someone mentions Rush Limbaugh and that he is a "Neo-Nazi that should be silenced". A few others agree.

Ok, here's an education for you poor, clueless sheep. First, the Nazi Party was a form of socialist government (called National Socialist Party), the very thing we conservatives fight against. Second of all, the Nazis silenced anyone that didn't agree with them.

Therefore...try to follow my logic here.... by suggesting what you are suggesting, you are not only denying the 1st Amendment but becoming what you, supposedly, abhor. I propose to you or anyone who feels we should silent any conservative voice, that you are closer to Nazism then any conservative would ever strive to be.

And, this....well, this will blow your mind....Obama, your precious Obama, with every bank he nationalizes and socialist program he puts into place, is closer to Nazism than anyone.

From Wikapedia: National Socialist philosophy came together during a time of crisis in Germany ......was in the midst of a period of great economic depression and instability.
Hitler said in 1927, “We are socialists, we are enemies of today’s capitalistic economic system for the exploitation of the economically weak, with its unfair salaries, with its unseemly evaluation of a human being according to wealth and property instead of responsibility and performance.”

The Nazis viewed private property rights as conditional upon the mode of use.[88] If the property was not being used to further Nazi goals, it could be nationalized. Government takeovers and threats of takeovers were used to encourage complance with government production plans, even if following these plans cost profits for companies. For example, the owner of the Junkers (aircraft) factory refused to follow the government’s directives, whereupon the Nazis took over the plant, placed the owner Hugo Junkers under house arrest, then compensated him for his loss. While the Nazis transferred public ownership and services in the private spector, they increased state control, regulation, and inference in economic affairs.[89]

So, blog reader, be mindful of the past. I'm not saying Obama is Hitler, that is an unthinkable analogy. But... there is always a potential if we are not wise and watchful watchdogs. We can't give government too much power and expect to survive as a nation.

I feel that our Founding Fathers were some of the sagacious people in our history, and their wisdom is timeless. You can never tell me that they would have us to sacrifice our freedoms for ANYTHING. NOT for terrorism and NOT for financial security.

Just Obey and Shut Up, right?

Obey on Stimulus Waste: 'So What?'
@ 9:44 am by Michael O'Brien
How money is spent should be far from the biggest concern about the stimulus package, its chief author, House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-Wisc.) said Friday.
"So what?" Obey asked in response to a question on NPR's "Morning Edition" about the perceived lack of direction from Congress as to how money in the stimulus should be spent. "This is an emergency. We've got to simply find a way to get this done as fast as possible and as well as possible, and that's what we're doing."

They wanted this done as fast as possible before the American people can figure out what's up and stop it. They got the POWER, and they are going to use it.
Here are some excerpts from a letter that Obey wrote in reference to the Stimulus Bill and why we need it so desperately. (My comments are in bold.)

Excerpts from :
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
DAVE OBEY (D-WI), CHAIRMAN
e Release
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Contact: Kirstin Brost, 202-225-2771
"Since 2001, as worker productivity went up, 96% of the income growth in this country went to the wealthiest 10% of society. While they were benefitting from record high worker productivity, the remaining 90% of Americans were struggling to sustain their standard of living."

90% of us were “struggling.” That’s a lot. How do they define “Struggling”? If we aren’t part of the millionaire’s club, we are struggling? If we can’t afford 2 Jaguars?

"They sustained it by borrowing… and borrowing… and borrowing, and when they couldn’t borrow anymore, the bottom fell out. "

Well, duh. But who said it was everyone’s right to have a house? Who told the banks, MADE the banks, lend money to people who were “struggling” in the first place? Hmmmmmm? Could it be…..you guys???
Yeah, and we have ourselves to blame too. The “struggling” couldn’t live without the 60” big screen TVs or fancy toys we all “need”.

"This plan will strengthen the middle class, not just Wall Street CEOs and special interests in Washington."

Yeah, because we already bailed those guys out. Oops, STILL bailing them out! (AIG)

"Our short term task is to try to prevent the loss of millions of jobs and get our economy moving. The long term task is to make the needed investments that restore the ability of average middle income families to increase their income and build a decent future for their children. "

A decent future, huh? Yeah, here kids, we are going to save our own butts right now and leave you with a $825 billion debt. Gee thanks, Mom and Dad. You’re swell.

And by the look of the stock market, this is REALLY working out for us. Riiiiiight.

PC=No Sense of Humor?

Make my day.

http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/clint_eastwood_racism/2009/02/27/186750.html?s=al&promo_code=7B3B-1
Let it be known that I do not consider myself racist. Whether or not you, the dear reader, consider me racist, is another matter entirely. I can't help the opinions you form about me, because that is your right. I'm just letting you know that, my opinion of myself is that I'm not racist. I do not like the use of the "n" word. My daughter attends a school made up of 75% non-caucasians. I think every race has the same amounts of genius and idiocy. I think everyone is equal in the eyes of God. If you knew me, you would know I'm fairly quiet and laid back....unless I'm talking politics or watching a Steeler game.

However this PC thing, I feel, is a form of censorship...and it's, at times, one-sided. White people better never ever EVER make fun or say anything bad about any race. However, every other race has free rein to say WHATEVER they want, and we, the honkies, should laugh about it or shut up.

Don't even get me started on whether or not we say "Merry Christmas". You might as well say "Go to Hell!" and offend less people. A fond, heartfelt wish to someone now has top billing with "F-you." Seriously? I don't care your religion; I'm not trying to convert you by saying "Merry Christmas" I'm being nice and polite, a human being full of good cheer. Now, that I'm practically being forced to say "Happy Holidays", the good cheer is gone. Now, I'm just scared I'm going to offend someone.

This tiptoeing around everyone feelings, because we are so fragile! How did we get so fragile...so soft and vulnerable? When did we start taking ourselves so damn seriously? Trust me, I believe in equal rights. So, hey, call me a honkie! Wish me a happy "Eid-AlFitr"!

Just smile when you say it, ok?