AMERICA NEEDS DREAMS, PLANS, AND GOALS

American needs to stand for something, to believe in something, to live for something as a nation, not just for individuals. Mr. Obama, Mr. Boehner, Democrats, Republicans, where is your leadership? America used to stand for "Liberty and Justice for All". Now what does America stand for? Accommodation with dictators? Diplomacy with terrorists? Dealing with totalitarian regimes? Buying cheap goods from foreign countries while our own manufacturers go out of business? Allowing US businesses to close plants, lay-off workers in the US, and re-open business in a cheap labor nation? Running multi-dollar trade deficits while our people cannot find jobs, are losing their homes, and wondering where their next meal is coming from? Regulating our national businesses virtually to death while other nations such as India, for example, have booming private businesses because they don't regulate businesses to death? Government spending on foolish things to ridiculous levels so that ourselves and future generations are saddled with tremendous taxes that keep us poor and stifle business?

Do we have any plans or goals to be preeminent in space exploration? No. Instead we are cutting it back. Do we have any plans to improve our missile defense against nuclear attacks? No. Do we have any plans to make our military the best in world? No. Instead we are cutting it back. Do we have a goal to have the best high speed railroads? No. Do we have any plans to build or rebuild our broken interstate highways, our bridges, our subways, our heavy industries, our cities? Not anything significant. Our we really trying to become energy self-sufficient? Not really.

So what is wrong with our leaders? Are they too busy drawing up health plans, welfare plans, pork barrel spending, negotiating with terrorist states, new business killing free trade plans and regulations, fighting between each other over minor political disagreements? I am afraid so. We have lost sight of how America should be a great nation in all respects and be a good example to others. Our leaders cannot see the forest because they can only see a few trees! Wake up America! Lets get this country doing something meaningful and get back to work!

If you agree with me, write and call your Congressmen, and email me. Don't bother if you like the status quo.

THE ESTATE TAX SHOULD BE ELIMINATED

Why do we need to tax estates? the government gets less than 1% of their tax revenue from estate taxes, even when they were at the 45% level. What is so bad about people inheriting money from a deceased person that has a significant estate or a business. In some cases when the estate is a small business, the business usually has to be sold to pay the taxes. This usually causes a loss of jobs for employees and the loss of a stable business income for the family. This loss to the family and the workers is not just a one-time loss. It can cause lifetime disruption for the employees and the family, not to speak of the loss of a good business in the community. That restaurant you love might close. Your favorite bar closes. Your favorite mom and pop grocery store is gone. But the large businesses that are privately owned have ways to avoid the estate taxes. Another argument against estate taxes is that they tend to level the financial condition of the people so that people who otherwise might have inherited a little money, instead struggle just to survive, and possibly eventually going on the public dole when they can no longer earn their living. So the estate tax is actually counter-productive to the government's financial situation. The fear merchants will say, "But you can't let families gain so much financial power by inheriting a lot of money." So what, how about the Kennedy's? They have really been an important family in our history with great accomplishments and contributions to our country! How about Bill Gates and Warren Buffet with their very large contributions to charity? Isn't that great? So what is wrong with having more rich people or just affluent people in the USA and fewer people on the public dole?

THE TAX DEAL UPSETS THE LEFT

The new tax deal that President Obama has made with the Republicans has made certain democrats very angry because taxes will not be increased on the rich for two years. I am not a rich man but my question is why should the rich pay any more taxes than anyone else on a percentage basis? It is not fair and it is not consistent with the American capitalist system. Most people should not even pay taxes because the original intent of the founding fathers was that taxes should be on capital GAIN, not on workers who are only exchanging their labor and time for payment. So doing a job is not gain -- it is simply an exchange of time for pay. Now the government has decided to tax everything, income from employment and investment gain, and the American people have meekly accepted this abuse of government power. However this was not my main concern. My main concern is that the socialist communistic agenda of the leftist democrats is not so much that the rich make too much money and should be taxed more. Rather rich people do not fit their socialist agenda that all people should be leveled financially so that only the political leaders will have ultimate power and control every aspect of life of every person. So there will not be any rich that could rock their boat. In other words the leftist democrats do not want anyone to be rich, except themselves, and they are jealous that any rich man should have any more power in any sense than a poor person, a middle class person, or especially a leftist politician.

SENDING OUR WEALTH OVERSEAS

Our deficits in trade over the last 3 years have averaged $48 billion. In 2010 alone we gave up $44 billion buying imports versus exports. Projecting the $44 billion over the next 10 years we will give up $440 billion in lost American wealth, jobs, resources, GDP, and other things. What will we get in return? Good will from foreign nations? I don't think so. We will get a lower quality of life, a weaker country, decaying infrastructure, and loss of influence in the world. We have already gone form a creditor nation to a debtor nation. The first step on the road to oblivion of the American way of life.

The following is a partial list of imported manufactured goods from just China alone. Just think what these goods represent in lost American jobs and industries in some cases. More than likely, we see even more lost jobs and industries in the future. One interesting import is in the area of military equipment. what in the world are we thinking when we import military equipment from China? What happens if we suddenly have a cold or hot war (I hope not) with China? Think of the shock when all of sudden we can't get the goods we are used to getting? We are even buying complete aircraft from China. We should be able to build our own aircraft and not have to buy any from overseas!

Why do we have this problem and we can't seem to correct it? It is because of the so-called "Free Trade" agreements where we are essentially "giving away the store." These agreements have been foolishly instituted by both Democrats and Republicans, unfortunately. Instead of "free trade" we should have FAIR TRADE that has appropriate tariffs, quotas, or taxes on imports that at least level the playing field for our domestic manufacturing.

Here is the partial list of imports from China alone:

Food
Paper products
Iron and steel products
Audio visual media
Generators
Transformers
Electrical parts
Oil drilling equipment
Mining equipment
Engines
Pumps
Compressors
heavy construction machinery
Agricultural machinery
Machine tools
Process machinery
Measurement, test, control, and lab instruments
Material handling equipment
Computers
Semiconductors
Telecom equipment
Business machines
Medical and hospital equipment
Civilian aircraft
Railroad equipment
ships and boats
Spacecraft
Automobiles
Footwear
Textiles
Cosmetics
Household appliances
Motorcycles
Toys
TV,VCR, video and audio equipment
Records, tapes, Cds, DVDs
Jewelry
Artwork
Military aircraft and parts

THE CONFLICT MINERALS LAW

The wonderful Dodd-Frank financial law passed this last July has a very nice provision that the use of any minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold that come from Africa, that have been sold or taxed by rebel groups, must be labeled that the product is not free of "conflict minerals".

In the first place, it is very hard to determine if one of these materials is not conflict free, once it gets into the hands of a manufacturer, especially if it is incorporated in some part or device that is bought by the manufacturer for incorporation in his device or final product. An example is a large screen television that may have a thousand or more electronic parts in it. One or more of the materials mentioned above may be incorporated in any part. It is possible that any given part may have been in stock for several years before it is finally used in a product such as the television. Now how in the world is its "conflict minerals" status going to be determined?

The Dodd-Frank bill, supposedly bi-partisan, is another example of over-regulation by the Democratic controlled Congress. The financial provisions in the bill are pretty awful also. This whole Congress has run amok, Democrats, and Republicans, putting our country in a terrible state of government over-reaching, over-taxing, over-spending, over-regulation, and general bloated over-grown inefficiency.

DEMOCRATS ARE DUMMIES ON THE ECONOMY

Democrats still have not figured out that taxes are already too high in a time of high unemployment and slow business activity. Raising taxes now will destroy the moderate economic recovery we are just starting to see. They also don't seem to realize that lowering taxes will actually stimulate business, create opportunities for investors, and the creation of new businesses, resulting in actually greater revenue than if taxes were raised. In fact, raising taxes will probably result in lower total tax revenue than what is now available, as has historically been the case. To compound their error they still intend to raise taxes on people who make more than $200,000 and higher. The $200,000 income level is actually the level which corresponds to the typical small business operation in this country. Raising taxes on this group will have the following effects; (1) The typical small business will not hire any more workers and may even layoff a worker or two to make up for the loss in net income after taxes. Not because they are mean and nasty people, but because it is a matter of survival for the small business and the owners that derive there livelihood from that business. (2) The small business will reduce material and supply orders to a minimum. (3) The small business may raise prices of the products or services it supplies, passing on the tax increases to the consumer who then pays double-taxes in effect.

Also, larger businesses will reduce R&D, layoff workers, reduce inventory, raise prices, stop hiring, etc. Investors that provide the capital for business by investing in companies will look for other more profitable investments, usually in non-business activities, or protective investments such as commodities. The price of commodities then rises further hurting consumers so we could have very high inflation with high unemployment at the same time. Really rich people, that is millionaires and higher will cut staff, curtail luxury purchases, and cut back in various ways to compensate for the new taxes. These people did not get to be millionaires by ignoring taxes! It has been estimated that one new millionaire created will result in an average of ten new jobs such as maids, gardeners, assistants, and other jobs. The list and repercussions of higher taxes goes on and on. I almost hope the Democrats do raise taxes. It will almost certainly result in their political demise in 2012. If you disagree with me, write and tell why I am wrong!

RETIREMENT AGE GOING TO 68 ?

The white House has a plan to raise the retirement age to 68 and possibly cut Social Security benefits for seniors. I can't believe that the Democrats are doing this. Aren't they supposed to be the party of the common working man? Or are they really a socialist party that is so hungry for new money to spend on boondoggle socialist programs (like the Health Care program and pork spending) that they will turn our workers into virtual slaves to their jobs! Is this the return of slavery?

Maybe if you are a scientist, doctor, or other professional, you love your work and will do it until you die at your desk, but if you are an auto worker, coal miner, or a subway operator, you most likely want to get the hell out of that job as soon as possible, like 62 or 65, but certainly not 68 or 69! Young people, watch out the government will try to raise your retirement age to 85 or 90, if you don't fight this plan now! So instead of being a worker slave to support the Democrat politicians pet projects, it would be better to quit working and just be a person on welfare, because under the socialist system you can get all kinds of benefits, food stamps, cash from the IRS, etc., etc.

So workers unite and fight the new Democrat slavery system that is being foisted on us whether we like it or not! Write your Congressmen and tell them how you feel. Stand in front of the courthouses and in the streets and protest. Use passive resistance only please.

THE GRIDLOCK CONGRESS

WELCOME TO THE NEW GRIDLOCK CONGRESS
What can happen with a Republican House of Representatives and a Democratically controlled Senate? Well mostly nothing I think. The Health Care Law will not be repealed for one thing. There will be no more massive stimulus except whatever the federal Reserve can do by itself. There will be no new major spending projects either. There will definitely be no major actions on politically sensitive issues such as immigration. Why will this be? Suppose for example, that the House writes a politically sensitive law. The Senate could kill it or they could pass it and send it to the President. But the President will veto it if it contradicts any of his mostly extreme left agenda. Or the Senate could write some leftist bill but the House will not pass it, so it dies. Either way the bill will not be passed. So we will have gridlock in government to a great extent especially on any political issues on which action would offend either the right or the left. But don't forget that the Executive branch our of government which includes the President has a lot of power to take actions in many areas that are not under the direct control of Congress and there are ways to get around Congress such as recess appointments, etc.
And don't forget the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Depts. that can move mountains in the economy if they want to, controlling the money supply, interest rates, bond issues/re-purchases, and many other aspects of the economy. As far as the gridlock is concerned it can actually be a good thing for business as there will be no significant laws that will "rock the boat" so to speak. What does it mean for 2012 though? I think that many Democrats will be in political trouble even more than now if they don't forget about their leftist agendas and start being cooperative with Republicans and working for the people instead of themselves. This includes the President

WHY DOES HAITI HAVE TO SUFFER CHOLERA?

What is the US government doing to help people in Haiti? Nothing that I know about. Some one correct me if I am wrong! How hard could it be to provide some fresh food and clean water to these people and help them to get their nation back to a reasonable state of living? It is a real shame how Americans will ignore problems when it is no longer a hot news topic and the TV cameras have left the scene. But the problems in Haiti persist.

How great does the US look in the eyes of the world when we just spend time staring at our political belly button and fight wars with a built-in decision to lose? How much money do we waste on boon-doggle projects, pork barrel spending, military paranoia, and giveaways to corrupt governments and dictators while we ignore real problems both humanitarian and military. If we can't solve humanitarian problems such as the situation in Haiti, how could we ever hope to solve the real problems of Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea? How long can we expect our military people to put up with the political correctness, lack of decision, and dumb decisions when decisions are made?

Congress now spends most of its time fighting each other over politics and dumb programs such as the crazy Health Care Law. Congress, how about getting together and deciding what the real problems are and working together to solve them?

COMPUTER DATA THEFT ON A MASSIVE SCALE

You might have noticed that when you are on the Internet your computer suddenly gets slow to do anything and you might hear your disk drive clicking like crazy. There is a good chance that someone or some company or advertiser has grabbed control of your computer and is trying to upload your personal data from your computer. This is called "browser hijacking" where your computer is secretly redirected to a site where your information is being uploaded from your computer. A less intrusive form of this data theft is the adding of so-called "cookies" to your computer that automatically upload data from your computer that is useful to advertisers or marketing companies. This kind of activity is not limited to just individual "hackers", but, I believe is being done by large companies and maybe major Internet businesses, according to my tests and experiments. For example, I have noted that if I remove all "cookies" from my computer that all I have to do is access one major Internet company and I will pick up at least one "cookie". By removing the "cookies" and other personal privacy invasion objects that find their way onto my computer when I use the Internet for my everyday activities, my computer runs faster and does not do strange things like slow-downs and the disk drive working overtime. This massive data theft is presently beyond laws and regulation, but I believe that it is criminal theft since the computer user does not knowingly agree to the covert and secretive intrusions on our private information. Unfortunately, if government regulation is forced by this criminal activity, it will cause some loss of freedom in Internet usage. Is this the price we will have to pay for this massive theft of data? I hope not but at present I don't see any other solution except regulation and prosecutions if necessary.

A LOT OF AMERICANS STILL NOT EMPLOYED

According to the latest statistics, 14,900,000 Americans are still unemployed. This is a shame on this country for a number of reasons. But to me the most disgusting thing about this vast number of people who can't find a job is that we have so much work that should be done in this country. Our highways and bridges are falling apart. Driving over 50 miles an hour on most highways is dangerous. Our cities and especially public schools are in decay and in need of serious work. Our airports are overloaded and we need more built. The FAA radars are obsolete and need up-dating. We don't have enough air controllers and the ones we do have are over-loaded with too heavy a workload. Our aircraft are getting old and need replacement. Our railroads have almost faded away and tracks in dis-repair. We have no up-to-date high speed rail. Our manufacturing jobs and capabilities are disappearing fast because of free trade policies. Our manned space flight program is almost gone due to excessive spending on other frivolous programs. Our borders are not secured. The fence on the southern is not completed. There are not enough border guards.

What is holding back work? Why can't people do some of the work that is needed? There is only one answer. Stupid politics by both political parties who have miss-managed this country for years. You say, but that's not the capitalist way to put people to work on government projects. But we already have a socialist government so what is the difference? The work still needs to be done whether it is done by the government or private contractors, there is a lot of work that should be done and there should be plenty of jobs!

Write and call your Congressmen and let them know that they are not doing a very good job.

SHOULD THE US BUILD PLANTS IN OTHER COUNTRIES?

Recently American companies trying to build plants in other countries have had to sign agreements on intellectual property while trying to operate manufacturing facilities in other countries. Some countries require that a foreign business operation in their company must sign agreements which allow access to proprietary information of that company. There has even been at least one case of theft of intellectual property of an American company doing business overseas.

So the cost of doing business overseas can be very high, not to mention the loss of our technical data and any edge we might have in competition for business.

I really don't like the fact that American companies are building products overseas that will be exported back to our shores and kill the same businesses here that cannot compete with the cheap labor. Examples are clothes, shoes, and other basic consumer items. Now if a product built by an American company overseas is sold overseas, such as automobiles for example, that is fine.

As part of a solution to our economic problems right now I believe that imports to America should be very limited mainly to things like certain metals or resources that we cannot produce in the US. Other imports like clothes, shoes, food, consumer electronics, tools, automobiles, and many other commodities that are imported should be strictly limited or even banned so that manufacturers in the US can start producing such items and hire more workers to do so. I know all the free-traders will scream about this if we tried to do it, but I don't think we can continue to let our own manufacturing industries die out while we import cheap goods made with cheap labor overseas. Our workers lose jobs and we lose our technical abilities and our manufacturing know-how advantage. It will eventually lead to the decline of America as a world power.

WHY ARE AMERICANS FREE TODAY?

Americans have freedom today. Why are we free when so many countries are under the heel of the dictator, the despot, communism, or religous dictatorships? The short answer is because Americans have been willing to fight and die to preserve our freedoms, and incindently, the freedom of other countries such as most of Europe, and maybe Iraq, and Afghanistan. What has been the price in wars such as the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, The Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other smaller wars? It is approximately one million American lives, brave men and women who were willing to serve and gave the ultimate sacrifice. This does not even count the many serious injuries, and trauma that our service people have suffered. And don't forget the scrifices by CIA agents who gave their lives for our freedoms.

Now what do you think about people who criticize our armed forces, or who demonstrate against our military, or who dodged the draft, or who support people who say we ourselves have caused terrorist actions against us? It seems that the terrorists don't remember how we helped Afghanistan defeat the invading Russians in the 1980's, or how we liberated Kuwait, or how we have given Iraq a chance to form a new government, religious or not, or that we allow all religions freedom to worship in the USA while some foreign states persecute Christians, Jews, and other religions that they don't like or hate.

It is time for Americans to be awake and realize that our freedoms are still under attack today by radical groups or states and that we will always have to defend our freedoms with blood and sacrifice.

ARE WE LOSING THE BATTLE FOR RESOURCES

China is buying up resources wherever they can. In Africa. In South America. In Australia. Where are we buying resources? Mainly nowhere. Where will we have to go to find rare metals and minerals? China probably. Won't that affect our military power? You betcha, especially if we are at war with someone China is allied or sympathetic with.

How could we buy foreign resource assets. One easy way is to give tax breaks to American companies that do so provided that their first priority customer is always the United States or a US customer who will not turn around and export it. Is this a non-capitalist approach? Yes in a way, but we need to watch out for our survival as an independent nation first, and capitalism second. Our military and a lot of commercial manufacturing companies need these materials to keep producing critical and important products.

What resources should we buy? Everything we can as soon as possible, but especially rare earth metals and other minerals we don't have a reliable source for. China is not waiting for us to do something. They are buying anything they can as soon as they can.

Could a country like China black mail us or hold us hostage for resources? Yes, especially since their business is controlled by the Chinese government, not a "free market" which does not really exist.

Call and write your Congressmen about this important issue.

DEFINITION OF A PIRATE?

The politically correct crowd of defense lawyers is at it again, trying to say that we don't have a definition of a pirate! How silly can they get? The definition of a pirate is so simple a fifth grader will know what a pirate is.

It is almost like people who lived in the 1700's and 1800's were actually a lot smarter than we are. They did not have any trouble identifying pirates. If you are on a ship and you see men climbing onto your ship with weapons what else could they be? Or if they shoot at a US destroyer, are they just trying to make us mad?

No the problem is with our lawyers and judges that constantly try to come with weird logic to boost their reputations and make the course of justice as slow and complicated as possible so that they will guarantee that they will have a job.

What we need to do is get back to the justice system that was used in the early days of the west. If you perpetrated a serious crime today, there was a very good chance you would be hanged in the morning and the taxpayers would not have to support you the rest of your life.

FED PREDICTS ECONOMY SLOWDOWN

The Federal Reserve has signaled a slowdown is coming in the economy. But why should there be a slowdown when we have had all of the stimulus by the Government. First the TARP, then the stimulus package, the cash for clunkers program, and the home buying credit. Of course all of these stimulus actions are now over with and for all intents and purposes dead, except maybe for some very long-term programs like high speed rail (What happened to that program?)

But there are recent Government actions and policies that will now hold back the economy. What are these?

First, there is the uncertainty of what the new taxes will be. Also the uncertainty of what the new health care costs are going to be as a result of the Democrat's new health care law. Another uncertainty factor are the new financial regulations which are very complex and the future effects are not yet known. All of this uncertainty is very bad for business activity. Businesses will hoard cash and refrain from hiring and even cutting costs wherever they can including layoffs. Since future sales for businesses are uncertain in most cases, businesses will also cut inventories to a bare minimum. This affects suppliers of materials and parts, reducing their business.

Second, business will face higher taxes in the near future. So even if a company needs to hire workers, they will not because of the new taxes that will cut earnings. This will affect small businesses the most as these businesses are usually struggling for survival.

Third, is the new health care law which will cause increasing insurance rates. Any business that provides health care insurance will have to pay out more money for each worker they hire. This will cause some companies to either cut health care insurance payments for their workers, provide lower coverage, and further reduce hiring to reduce their health care costs to a minimum.

Fourth, the new financial regulations will cause more overhead expenses for businesses and this translates to cutting costs somewhere else, probably more layoffs or a slowdown of hiring. Some companies may go out of business totally because the new law grossly interferes with their business.

Fifth, the anti-business actions of Congress are accumulating and will add up to a dampening of business activity.

Sixth, and one of the worst factors, is "free-trade". So-called free trade has caused massive loss of jobs in the US with whole industries moving overseas to find cheaper labor. What we really need is FAIR TRADE!

Seventh are the nuisance lawsuits that put a damper on business and causes a large part of health care costs we have today. A doctor's cost for insurance against these lawsuits may run $300,000 or more per year. Congress needs to put a cap on these suits but has refused to do so.

Eighth, the US Space Program has been drastically cut back causing large layoffs of highly skilled workers and engineers. A lot of small businesses that were serving NASA needs will now be cut back or even going out of business.

Ninth, the military budget is being cut back by Mr. Gates. This will probably end-up causing more job losses and may cause a loss of military power for the US.

Tenth, the restrictions on oil drilling and new nuclear power plants is holding back energy growth and jobs in this industry. In the meantime we are virtually held hostage by the OPEC countries who can charge us anything they want to. If oil and gas prices go up substantially, this will cause a real recession.

When Reagan was president, he reduced taxes and beefed up the military. the economy improved and there was no lack of jobs.

We need to get back to sane government and have some policies that are friendly to US businesses. Vote accordingly in November.

To sum up, we have a lot of problems that are mainly a result of bad government policies and bad legislation.

BY BYE to BARNES & NOBLE ?

Barnes & Noble is rumoured to be sold to the highest bidder. Supposedly B&N is not doing well because of competition from digital media such as Amazon, Kindle, and now the iPad, and of course, ordinary computers. Electronic books can be downloaded for low prices in a few minutes. Is this the reason? Is B&N really now a "backwater technology"?

What if all newspapers, books, and book stores disappeared in a few years due to the easier and cheaper availability of digital media and readers? This is not very realistic as there will be people who love newspapers and books for many years to come. But eventually, yes, books and newspapers will probably be no more, except in collectors libraries. Start collecting first editions now?

Will we miss the printed word in a few years? I doubt it. How many people miss the horse and buggy while they are riding around in their swanky air conditioned 300 horse power automobiles?

Smart business people will be thinking of ways to take advantage of the situation and make fortunes on the new digital media. (I am trying to get started with this and other blogs.)

In the meantime, enjoy your books and newspapers, if you do, and also have fun with your iPad or Kindle.

WHAT HAPPENDED TO AMERICAN POWER?

America used to be a power house with a can-do spirit and the guts to do the right thing. What would you call this spirit? I call it the power.

We had the power in the First World War. We had the power in the Second World War. Then the Korean war happened. In that war politics and fear took away the power. Our great military leader at the time, General Douglas MacArthur was relieved of duty by then President Truman because of the possibility of a general war with China and Russia. This was where I believe the virus of fear began to weaken us. What else did Truman do that added to our weakness? He allowed Saudi Arabia and the other Arab countries to nationalize our oil fields that we built and developed. These countries did not even pay for the work and equipment we put into developing the wells.

The Korean war turned into a stalemate and look at the mess we have now with a nuclear rouge state in North Korea.

The war in Vietnam was turned into a quagmire because of the political interference in military operations by President Johnson. Why? Fear again. Fear of China if we got too aggressive. Politics and fear again weakening American power with lasting undesirable effects on our country.

Next, Iran held our diplomats hostage while we did nothing. Carter made a weak rescue attempt that ended in disaster. Reagan's tough attitude got them back but there was no retribution. Another sign the fading power.

Reagan built our defenses back up after the Democrats had allowed them to delcine, but he pulled our forces out of Lebanon after our Marines were bombed. We turned tail and ran. Why? Politics and fear took hold.

President H.W. Bush invaded Somalia and then pulled out when things got rough. We turned tail again and ran. Again politics and fear.

Then we suffered the attack of 911. G.W. Bush invaded Afghanistan and Iraq but was roundly criticized by the politics of fear and weakness.

The Democrats have half finished the job in Iraq and are getting ready to pull out troops before they should be. Politics and fear hold sway again.

Afghanistan has turned into a quagmire just like Vietnam because of our timidity and the politics of fear. We are afraid to to burn the poppy fields because of local politics. So the terrorists still have plenty of money to support their war against us. We are on a direct path to losing this war also. The politics of fear and weakness are still following us and this will eventually lead to our downfall unless we change our ways and thinking soon.

RESTRICT ENERGY PRODUCTION OR PRODUCE MORE?

If the Democratic Party in Congress gets its way on energy policy, it will lead to more restrictions on the efficiency and volume of energy production. Some Republicans, especially California Rep. Devin Nunes, want a broad plan to expand energy production using free market forces with Government as the facilitator, not the "restrictor". An outstanding part of the plan involves the rapid approval of 200 new nuclear power plants (no carbon emissions) with modernized regulation and more flexibility in handling nuclear waste.

Consider the two alternatives. First, the restrictive energy policies of the Democrats which are limited areas to drill or retrieve oil, heavy government regulation of the energy industry, cap and trade (cap and tax) all of which will limit production and raise energy costs. Outside of bad effects on business and employment, what is the worst result of this dangerous policy? Continuing to purchase vast amounts of oil from the OPEC criminals at great cost to our country and draining of our economic resources. (No, we can't just live off of a service industry economy. We have to MAKE THINGS!)

The second alternative, and the one many people think is better, is to produce more energy from all sources including nuclear, solar, wind, oil drilling, oil shale, and opening more areas such as the Arctic National Wildlife preserve, the Continental shelf areas, and the Western Oil Shale areas as a start. The objective here is many-fold: more jobs at home, cheaper energy for industry and consumers, a stronger economy, and finally ENERGY INDEPENDENCE which also means retaining AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE!

Write and call your congressman and tell him!

CHINA COULD TAKE OVER GLOBAL MEDIA

Chinese companies are issuing IPO's and planning to invest billions in media companies all over the world.

What if China managed to gain a majority interest in say for example the New York Times or even the Washington Post? Do you think that China could impose censoring on the media outlets or software companies it might own out-right or control by means of stock purchases?

If this happens, China will be in a position to spoon feed everyone in the world their brand of Communism and censor whatever they want to. No more freedom of the press. Newspapers, television, radio, wireless networks, the Internet, or any company that has issued stock on the open market or is controlled by an international agency, such as the International Telecommunications Union, would be susceptible to a Chinese Communistic takeover with the censorship and the restrictions of Communistic rule.

Is this acceptable to America? I don't think so! What can we do about it? The main way to stop this kind of activity is to make it illegal for any foreign company to own stock in any American company. Period.

Write and call your Congressman and make him aware of the problem today!

BOND MARKET IN TURMOIL DUE TO DODD-FRANK BILL

The new financial regulation bill (FINREG) authored by Sens. Frank and Dodd is causing turmoil in the bond market because bond rating services Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitcch Ratings fear legal liabilities due to the FINREG bill.

Ford Motor Co. had to quit plans to issue new bonds to finance business as one of the first effects of the bill with many more bad effects probably to come. How bad is this going to get? No one knows and the markets will not like this uncertainty!

The rating agencies say that according to the new bill they can be held legally responsible for their ratings. In other words they can be sued big time if even just one of their ratings turns out to be wrong. Who would want to do business under these circumstances?

So who, pray tell, is going to rate new bonds now? Well, obviously it will have to be the government, probably the SEC or one of the other agencies. So even more power will be in the hands of the government. This power could be abused. The government can rate a certain privately issued bond low so that the company would not be able to sell bonds. This could lead to its ruin just because some government hack does not like them or even because he has a secret conflict of interest in the deal.

How much more of this liberal socialist legislation do we have to put up with before we act like Americans and tell these Congressmen in no uncertain terms that we don't like their work in Congress and we are going to remember it when November elections come around. Both Democrats and Republicans are at fault here so lets rattle their cages. Call and write letters today!

DRUG DECRIMINALIZATION

Portugal is leading the way in reducing criminal drug trafficking by fully decriminalizing drug use in 2001. By 2008 drug addiction has dropped nearly by one-half. Also rates of HIV and hepatitus infections have dropped as a result. Crime has also reportedly decreased in Portugal.

How does it work? The government provides many treament centers for addicts where they can recieve treament with methadone, counseling, and help with their addiction problems. They recieve the methadone at no charge. The methadone helps addicts to stop using other dangerous drugs such as cocaine and heroin. But Portugal knows that some people, even under treatment, will never lose their addiction.

One problem is that criminally produced synthetic drugs are now becoming popular so that eventually some people may not be helped with the methadone treatment. To solve this problem, it may be necessary for the government to produce new, and safer drugs for addicts to use, while still providing the drugs at no charge or a very low price to discourage criminal trafficking.

Maybe the US and Mexico should give this system a try here? How nice it would be to get rid of the drug lords and criminals fighting on our border all the time with millions suffering degrading lives under their control.

IRAN TO HAVE BALLISTIC MISSILES BY 2015?

According to an article in the Wall Street Journal of July 14, Iran will have nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) by the year 2015. And it may not be one or two. It may be dozens or even one hundred or more, because of the vast uranium resources that they have and the rate of weapons-grade uranium they are now producing. Most of our large cities will be in danger. We cannot afford this risk. It is an unacceptable risk.

Does anyone think that once Iran obtains this goal that they will hesitate to use the missiles against the US and Israel? Are we ready to shoot down these missiles, or are we ready to take the military action that is really needed? I don't think so in either case.

So what should be our real priorities? The oil leak? The financial regulations? Immigration? The Democrats other liberal agendas? Politics? No! We need to think about saving our lives and our existence as a nation.

Hello? Is anyone listening? Is anyone concerned? President Obama? CIA? Pentagon? Congress? Hello, is everyone asleep in this country? Wake up people! This is the real crisis we face! Call and write your Congressman. Talk to your friends and neighbors. Ask them to write and call others and their Congressmen about this problem. find out what is happening and what we are going to do, if anything.

MICROSOFT AND FUJITSU TO JOIN IN CLOUDS

Microsoft and Fujitsu will form a collaboration in cloud computing. The alliance will form a next generation method of computing that is accessed online so that a user has access to extensive software, online storage, and possibly even processing power in certain cases.

Potentially, or hopefully, for the user it will be like having access to a super computer.

Microsoft will gain access to Fujitsu's data centers, and Fujitsu will be allowed to offer Microsoft's Windows library of software to the user.

Expect a downside though. Instead of just paying the up-front cost of your own computing power and software, you will most likely have to pay a monthly fee or a usage fee per data block for rental of software, storage, and processing time if used.

It will be like the old days where you have a relatively dumb terminal and you log-in remotely to the computer service. (Compuserve are you coming back?)

Apple where are you? Hello?

MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IN TELEVISION

Original post by Marie-Eunice M. Alarcon

A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT IS A NEW SERVICE THAT WILL PROVIDE ONLINE DOWNLOADABLE TV SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA AND SOUTH-EAST ASIA.

This new service could have far reaching implications for television everywhere. If you can get better TV service and features on your computer, why do we need stand-alone TV's anymore, unless they are Internet capable. See the Press Release below:


Media Release
Date: Thursday 8 July 2010

STARTS
AUSTAR partners with online video platform provider Switch Media to launch Australia’s first streaming and downloadable on demand TV service.
The AUSTAR AnyWhereTM service is a first in the Asia Pacific region that lets viewers stream and download TV programs on Mac and PC.
Technical Director for Switch Media Luke Durham says this is possible because of the type Digital Rights Management (DRM) chosen.
The use of DRM means that online broadcasters have controlling rights over the content permissions given to different levels of subscribers.
Luke Durham says: “The challenge was bringing together leading edge capabilities like Adobe Flash Access 2.0 DRM, protected streaming and download access into a single you beaut service.”
He says Switch Media has also been able to provide a cost effective and reliable distribution network to AUSTAR’s regional subscriber base.
Switch Media Chief Executive, Christopher Stenhouse says: “We are on an evolutionary path, going from leaning forward to watch online videos to a lean-back on demand internet TV experience.”
AUSTAR Chief Executive Officer, John Porter, said, “AUSTAR AnyWhereTM is the next step in making the best entertainment available to our customers whenever and however they want it. It will give our subscribers complete flexibility and control over when they view their favourite shows, as long as they have an internet connection on their PC. A key feature of AUSTAR AnyWhereTM is that it will offer the ability to both stream and download content, meaning customers can either watch the video straight away online, or download it to their PC watch later.”
The online TV portal is available only on the AUSTAR AnyWhereTM service at www.austar.com.au/onlinetv.
ENDS

ANNOUNCING TELEVISION FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Original post by Marie-Eunice M. Alarcon

AUSTAR LAUNCHES ONLINE VIDEO PLATFORM FOR ON DEMAND TV SERVICE

A major development is to provide an excellent service to Australia and other South-East Asian countries. Read this important release:

Media Release
Date: Thursday 8 July 2010

STARTS
AUSTAR partners with online video platform provider Switch Media to launch Australia’s first streaming and downloadable on demand TV service.
The AUSTAR AnyWhereTM service is a first in the Asia Pacific region that lets viewers stream and download TV programs on Mac and PC.
Technical Director for Switch Media Luke Durham says this is possible because of the type Digital Rights Management (DRM) chosen.
The use of DRM means that online broadcasters have controlling rights over the content permissions given to different levels of subscribers.
Luke Durham says: “The challenge was bringing together leading edge capabilities like Adobe Flash Access 2.0 DRM, protected streaming and download access into a single you beaut service.”
He says Switch Media has also been able to provide a cost effective and reliable distribution network to AUSTAR’s regional subscriber base.
Switch Media Chief Executive, Christopher Stenhouse says: “We are on an evolutionary path, going from leaning forward to watch online videos to a lean-back on demand internet TV experience.”
AUSTAR Chief Executive Officer, John Porter, said, “AUSTAR AnyWhereTM is the next step in making the best entertainment available to our customers whenever and however they want it. It will give our subscribers complete flexibility and control over when they view their favourite shows, as long as they have an internet connection on their PC. A key feature of AUSTAR AnyWhereTM is that it will offer the ability to both stream and download content, meaning customers can either watch the video straight away online, or download it to their PC watch later.”
The online TV portal is available only on the AUSTAR AnyWhereTM service at www.austar.com.au/onlinetv.
ENDS

WHY DOES US WANT TO BUY EU AIRCRAFT FOR US AIRFORCE?

The Air Force has a contract for $35 billion for military tanker aircraft. Boeing and the EU company EADS have already bid once on this contract and Boeing won. But EADS complained that the bid was not fair, so the US is going to let them bid again. Why? Is there political influence at high levels involved? is there a deal between US and EU political leaders to give them the contract as a sort of EU welfare hand-out?

In the first place, EADS has virtually no experience building military aircraft such as tankers. Secondly, is the EU subsidizing the EADS company, whereas Boeing is a free enterprise and is not subsidized? And third, Boeing has exactly the type of aircraft the Air Force needs and has many years of experience in building and supplying all kinds of military aircraft to the US Air Force. If EADS is selected as the contract winner, we would have to hold their hand and show them what to do every step of the way. How much longer would deliveries take do you think?

Why in the world would the Air Force even qualify EADS to bid on the contract? It is very suspicious that political pressure from somewhere is involved. (Alabama would get a plant to build parts of the aircraft if EADS is the winner.)

If we are going to buy foreign made aircraft for military use, at least we should buy from a country that knows how to build military aircraft. Why not Russia, for example? We are already buying their Mi17 helicopters for use by Iraq and Afghanistan forces. Why not let Russia bid on the tanker contract? Politics again?

Americans, wake up! The leftist politicians are running our economy into the ground by foreign "free trade" and give-aways like the tanker contract.

Call and write your Congressman and tell him how you feel about what is happening to us.

HOW ABOUT THIS SOLUTION FOR IMMIGRATION?

This is a proposed solution for some of the Mexican immigration problems we have. It is a compilation of the best ideas we have heard but it is a preliminary plan subject to change. Let us say first that we have nothing against Hispanics in our country. Most of them add good things to our culture and workforce as industrious and law abiding people.

But here is the proposal:

1. Close the holes in the fence, and create an effective law enforcement patrol with state and federal law working together.

2. Loosen regulations on legal immigration, especially if an immigrant has a relative or other legal resident to sponsor him or her.

3. Give illegals a grace period of 30 to 90 days to report to a government office (which will be ready and is at a designated location for each state) to apply for a visa or citizenship. If they have documents and can qualify they can become legal and stay at least until their visa expires. This would give them time to work for citizenship.

4. If illegals do not come forward during the grace period they will be subject to arrest and immediate deportation.

If you don't like the plan, leave your comments with a better plan. We are open to suggestions and hope that there is discussion on this subject.

If you do like the plan, call and write your Congressman and let him know about it!

CHINA ISSUES LARGEST IPO EVER

The Chinese Agricultural Bank with its 24,000 branches has issued what may be the largest IPO in history. It is expected to be as much $22 billion. That is an interesting statistic, but what is the deeper meaning of this? Remember that this bank is owned by the Chinese government, so here we have the case of a major government getting into major business. How can private businesses compete with this kind of clout in the world?

The worst part of this is that we have a large government that is about to rule business (the IPO is the red flag.) What is next? Chinese business will rule the world? Yes, I think that we are headed in this direction, and if free democratic countries value their freedoms, especially free enterprise, they need to stand together and resist the giant oligarchy that we see emerging. We already have one that rules the oil business, namely OPEC. We don't need another that will rule all business and eventually our nations as well if we let it.

Free nations wake up. don't let your freedoms slip away and be lost forever!

Call and write your congressman and tell him how you feel about the situation.

WHAT DOES JULY 4TH MEAN TO AMERICANS?

The 4th of July should mean more than fireworks, barbecues, and hot dogs. It stands for the day that we declared independence from England with the Declaration of Independence adopted on July 4th 1776. Also it should remind Americans of the many sacrifices that Americans have made defending our freedoms: The battle of Edge Hill (Valley Forge) in 1777. The war of 1812. The battle of the Alamo, March 6, 1836. World War I in 1917. Pearl Harbor, Dec 7 1941 and WW II. The attack of Sept. 11 on Innocent Americans. Have we forgotten these events and what they mean to us? I hope not.

What else should July 4th be remembered for? It should be remembered that our freedoms were not achieved easily and that they should not be given away easily, either with the stroke of a pen, or with violence projected against us by anyone.

In addition to the rogue states and the terrorists trying to fight us, who else is attacking our freedoms? The far left liberals and so-called progressives who seek to supplant our individual freedoms, such as the right to bear arms, and freedom of expression of religion, to assert their agenda of creating a communist-style state that controls everyone and creates a giant big brother type of government. The progressives believe that people cannot control their own lives and must be controlled by government. They also lust for political power to feather their own nests leading to tyranny.

To defeat the progressive agenda, as Americans we must assert our basic conservative values, reduce the size of government, defeat the tax and spend bills of Congress, reduce the public debt, and vote for people who will defend American freedoms set down by our forefathers in the Constitution.

MORE SANCTIONS ON IRAN?

The White House has put sanctions on 16 Iranian banks and also assets of the Revolutionary Guards. Businesses that do any business with these banks will be barred from doing business in the US, according to the Wall Street Journal yesterday.

Are these sanctions doing any good? Iran will just find another way to take care of business and we are just looking like bumblers in foreign policy. Is this what Reagan would have done? I don't think so.

We need to remember the words of Teddy Roosevelt: "Talk softly and carry a big stick."

But Iran will soon have a big stick, and then what is our policy going to be? Are we just going to keep prodding a lion with a skinny little stick and making him more and more angry?

Whatever is done, we need a new policy.

FINREG CAUSING STOCK MARKET DECLINES?

Why would the new financial regulation bill cause recent stock market declines? For several reasons. First, the stock market does not like uncertainties and the FINREG bill is definitely a bill that will have economic effects which will not be apparent until it has been in effect for at least a year, and maybe even a decade.

Second there is a perception, probably correct, that the FINREGs will have a bad effect on the income of banks. This perception, if it becomes reality, will have large effects on the economy. What effects? Well probably there will be less credit available to ordinary individual or small business customers for starters.

Third, the banks will have less capital to invest on business ventures of virtually every type. Because banks are presently a major source of capital for investment, a decline in available capital could have a devastating effect on business growth, GDP, and general quality of life for the average American.

Finally, bank accounts will have a higher cost to maintain for the average person. Many people could even decide they can't afford a checking account and withdraw millions if not billions of capital from the banks. This of course further reduces capital available for investment.

Does anyone still want FINREG to be signed into law? Write or call your congressman now!

ANOTHER NEW GOV. AGENCY?

Congressional Democrats planned to tax banks a total of $18 billion per year to support a new financial regulatory agency. How much more ridiculous can Democrats get? The new financial regulations will prevent banks from doing their own proprietary trading so they will lose that source of income. Then the government is going to tax them some more to pay for an un-needed agency! Guess who is going to have to pay more money to support banks? You and me of course through more checking fees, account charges, and of course you better not have any overdrafts! Another silly aspect of this is that we already have numerous government agencies that could administer the new regulations (which are themselves silly and won't accomplish much anyway.)
To list the major agencies that already perform financial regulation tasks; the Federal Reserve Board, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). On top of that, if there is any evidence of fraud or financial crime involved, the FBI should be the primary agency to investigate and make arrests if necessary.
What is really behind the Democrat's planned agency? Another liberal socialist attempt to grab power in this country in the name of the Progressive Party's agenda. Vote them out of office in November!

INTERNATION CONTROL OF US SPACE PROGRAM?

The White House apparently plans to allow other nations to have some form of control over the US space program? Can this really be true? This is a ridiculous proposal. Can you imagine a spaceship designed by a committee? How much longer do you think it would take to make any progress on space programs with a lot of nations being involved? Remember how long it took only to do the negotiations on construction of the Space Station?
If true, the plan would accomplish two things: (1) reduce the amount of money and commitment we need to apply to space programs, and (2) delaying the program so that the spending amount is even further reduced (so that more money can be spent of liberal welfare boondoggles! )
Finally, this is another example of where we will get into a position of giving away more space technology that we have accumulated over the years with blood, sweat, tears, and great financial cost. Now we will just give it away and no doubt our enemies will also get their hands on it?
Write or call your congressman and let she or he know how you feel about this policy.

WHY INTERNATIONAL CONTROL OF GPS?

The Obama administration apparently plans to allow international control of the commercial version of the Global Positioning System. If true, this is a dangerous release of technology, originally developed by the US Air Force. This policy, if implemented, could result in the theft of technology by unscrupulous persons or countries at the least, and sabotage at the worst. Why in the world does the US always want to give away technology? Lately the Internet has come under international control, and now the GPS system.
This is another example of liberal politics that likes to lick the boots of other nations in order to gain some imagined good will. We are digging ourselves a giant hole if we continue to give away our technology to foreign countries, some of whom are not really our friends and someday may use our own technology in a cold or even hot war against us! Examples; both Venezuela and Iran have US built fighter aircraft and they are still flying these planes. Imagine what these countries have learned from the reverse engineering of our weapons over the years.
Lets hope that some sanity prevails. Write or call your congressman.