Beaconism

Now that our Congress has quit playing politics, keeping the country on the edge of its seat in a game of one upsmanship, and have passed a budget to finish out this year, we rest assured our troops will be paid.

Yes. Meanwhile, in the War in Afghanistan, in this morning's Wall Street Journal, tells what a day is like for a Marine regiment there. It reminds us how much we're not wanted. A Taliban flag flying over a house, known to be a symbol of "up yours". Hateful stares from the elders as our troops tip toe their way through mine fields. In a good day no one gets killed or maimed. On a bad day a man like Sgt. Matthew Abate gets killed. He was revered for leaving cover to apply aid and carry badly wounded men to safety, only to be killed himself a few weeks later.

The men lament that everyone knows of Lindsey Lohan's latest shenanigans and follow with baited breath the escapades of Charlie Sheen, but no one knows Sgt. Abate's name.

The president of the country continually defies what the U.S. expects of him, dismissing pro American cabinet officials, inducing the people to riot over the burning of the Koran. Yet we take it. The marines cannot shoot what they call a "dicker", one who crawls forward to better see what the troops are doing. Even if he's using a hand held radio and such actions usually lead to an attack.

Many of my readers often cry in unison we need to just get out.

Peggy Noonan suggested we return to the idea of Beaconism". I think she has it right. That it be our role to be the beacon of freedom to the rest of the world. Yet not the 'bringer'. She pointed out how the billions of dollars we've poured into Afghanistan alone, forget Iraq, Egypt and the rest of them, could have been better spent in this country improving the lives of our people.

Paul Ryan has put forth some brave new ideas for getting our financial woes in hand.  Perhaps along with that someone can come forth with some brave new ideas about getting our foreign policy woes in hand.

Others don't like us.  We know that.  Our ways aren't always the best for them anyway.  Our ways do seem to suit us though, just fine.  If we take care of ourselves, put America first and ridding ourselves of our petty bickering, we will keep that beacon burning bright.  If others care not to notice it, or don't like it, well, that's their problem.

On The Record ~ Demos And Repubs Don't Play Nicely Together

There is little more to be said about the looming government shutdown except to question when will it reopen and how many more billions of debt will this action incur.  It will cost us money.  Shutting down.  Restarting.

All over a social issue that has no business being in this particular budget negotiation in the first place.  Shame on the Republicans.  I lay this one on them.  I read this morning that they are holding out because they fear more Tea Party challenges in the next election.  Hello?  What about we Independents?  You'd best not forget about us.  We're thoroughly disgusted with the whole lot of you, but then it doesn't seem to matter.

What can be said about the maturity of our legislators when Harry Reid accuses the Republicans of wanting to deny women cancer screenings.  Defunding Planned Parenthood is a far cry from that.  And other than Limbaugh and Laura Ingraham, who really thinks the counseling services provided by Planned Parenthood is bad?  Besides, abortion, if that's really the issue, is the law of the land, and it's also law that Federal funds cannot be used for abortions.  So the argument to me is murky at best.

Then there are the two Democratic activists trying to organize a Facebook event to have people dump their trash on Speaker Boehner's property. They have even threatened to go ahead with it even if the shutdown is avoided.

Why do I bother blogging? Why does any sane person even follow politics?  Perhaps they don't and that's why they're sane.  I used to think it was over paid, over indulged actors and athletes who represented the worst of our society. That list must also include politicians. It's hard to believe we actually elect these people. It's even worse we have to live under the laws they pass while they exempt themselves. We have problems in this country far worse than an unbalanced budget. It's an unhinged Congress!

The Blame Game - Everyone Owns A Share

It has been awhile since I've seen so may fingers pointing.  If it was live fire it would be mass murder.  This budget mess.

Let's be clear.  It is the fault of the Democrats. It was their responsibility last October to get a budget in place for the current fiscal year.  They had both the House and the Senate.  They could have gotten anything they wanted.  Why didn't they?  Fear?  That the American public might balk at the spending they wanted and turn them out of office?  Well, it happened anyway!

The Republicans now have the House.  The budget we're talking about needs only to last the remainder of this fiscal year - September!  Why this insane bickering over a really small amount of money and a short period of time when the disagreement may close down the government! The Tea Party won't budge and Boehner seems not  to be willing to go against them.  I was so afraid this would happen.

At the moment the conservatives are the squeaky wheel.  Where are the rest of us?  We need to be trying to talk some sense into them.  Somewhere along the line they are convinced this is what the people want.  Well, not this person!

You'll note a couple of things in what to expect in a - the military will not get paid until the shutdown is over and Congress will!  What's wrong with that picture?  Consider how many of those military families are living from pay check to paycheck with the help of food stamps to begin with!  You've got to love it.  The military doesn't get paid for doing their job and Congress does get paid for not doing theirs!

Get beyond your special interests!  Do what the people really want.  Take the cuts that have been agreed upon and pass the blasted budget!

While I'm at it, this whole process is pointing to another man to be the Republican nominee for President even though he has said he isn't interested.  Paul Ryan.  No one understands the budget process better than he does.  No one can better explain it to the people.  He has created the frame work and more for the 2012 budget and it will be at the forefront of all conversation, negotiation, name calling and argument other than war between now and October.  His is the name that will be known.  He is the one who has had the courage to put together a plan that is necessary if we want to remain solvent.

That he can take a hard stand on a difficult matter is fact. I'd think he would be as thorough on foreign policy were he to become President.  Sigh.

This is a double pronged post to be sure.  Why is it I fear both are no more than wishful thinking?

The Union Label

"Bully" might do.  As the President goes off to campaign,  the Congress struggles over the budget.  A supreme court justice in Wisconsin is fighting for his career because he is in agreement with the governor's stand on reigning in public sector union demands.  He's not the only governor taking those stands.

What is it that people don't understand about the fact this country is flat broke.  No.  Worse than that.  In debt over our heads and then some.

So what are the unions in parts of Ohio doing?  Asking that businesses put a sign in their window saying they support the unions.  Those who do not are threatened with having their business boycotted.  So much for freedom of choice.

Others have tried to stay neutral and were told neutral is the same as "no".  This is intimidation and bullying.  Period.   Some have suggested they've taken the signs because union people are customers. Fine, but what about those  customers who are not members of  unions? Don't they count too? Those whose tax dollars are going to pay those demands?  That may prove to be a boycott in of itself because the tax burden is getting to be such that they can't afford to shop those businesses.

Our government has to share the blame.  Forget Obama,  he's always been pro union and pro spending.  But the government as a whole, for decades,  has taken spending to new heights and borrowing to reach them.  They are not unlike the unions.  This is what we want, this is what we will have or else.  Or else what?  What happens when no one will lend us money any more? The dollar is worthless in world markets. Will the treasury print it?  Then we will collapse.

When the President says about high gas prices, "Get used to them" while pushing "clean" energy that is no where nearly well enough developed for reasonable mass consumption, and telling the Republicans getting their way isn't the way it works sounds just like he did with the health care issue.  It's his way or the highway.  Just like the unions.  It's their way or the highway.

We are as politically polarized as we've ever been with no change in site.  Even the Tea Party is polarizing.  They are not willing to compromise either.  Will any other incarnation of a political movement?  Probably not.

Next year when the President gives his State of the Union address, it will be just that.  We're just one big Union making demands we can no longer afford.  Everyone has the answer, as long as their special interests and perks are not affected. That means, in reality, no one has the answer. No one is willing to bend.  From the top of the political spectrum, the President, right down to the guy living next door.

It's not that our heads are in the sand.  We know the situation.  I guess not enough of us care enough to facilitate change.  Especially those in a position to do so.  So as we do little more than butt heads, the world moves away from us.  Has anyone noticed?  Does anyone care?

The One Billion Dollar Man

To no ones surprise, today President Obama announced he is running for re-election.  The dollar amount his campaign wants to raise is what astounds me.  One billion dollars.  How many of us can comprehend that amount?  Especially those without jobs nor with any prospects expected in the foreseeable future. Those who's homes are being foreclosed on.  Those who can't afford to buy a tank of gas to get to work if lucky enough to have a job.  Those who can't put a nourishing meal on the table because the cost of nourishing food is through the roof.

It seems campaign spending has gotten as ludicrous as campaign promises - like hope and change.  Here is a man who at best deserves a gentleman's "C" for his performance.  I don't see that changing over the next couple of years.  One, he doesn't have the House with him so it will slow down his domestic agenda and two, his foreign policy is murky at best.  We're still at war.  Guantanamo is still open.  Gays can not yet serve openly in the military.  Health care reform is all over the map.  Drilling has yet to be resumed in the Gulf.  These are just popping into my head as I write.  I know I'm down on this President, but still, nothing is coming to mind as a great success.

One billion dollars.  That money could be spent so much better than being put into the pockets of strategists and ad campaigns distorting the records of those in opposition!  One billion dollars.  I just can't get my head around it.

If he were a wildly popular President, no where near that much would be necessary.  It makes me wonder if his insiders think he's even worse than I do in thinking that kind of money will be needed.  Heck he doesn't even have a credible opponent yet!

Let's face it, who are we looking at?  Palin and Bachmann.  I don't think so.  Pawlenty.  Who's he?  The stout guy from Mississippi.  The Morman.  Trump?  You've got to be kidding.  Giuliani?  That's digging deep.  He'd have to show up before Florida.  And last, but not least, I heard today Jesse Ventura would consider running with Ron Paul!

What a choice.  One billion dollars?  I'd think maybe $1.95 plus tax might cover it.