Hello Mr. Congress Person..You Listening?

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Bailout, Bush, charity, Clinton, Congress, inaguration, Obama, senate, stilulus

When polled roughly 70% of Americans do not want a bailout or stimulus.

Not 350 Billion, not 700 Billion, nor 1 Trillion.  NOT AT ALL.

Yet Congress votes in the remaining portion…once again without oversight when the first one had no impact at all.  And even better, there was pork added to it.  And now, they are looking at another 850 Billion.  Here is an idea, give me my portion of that and see if I can stimulate the economy….Bet I Can!

When polled once again regarding money going to the automakers, people really spoke up against a bailout for them…no luck.  Congress and Senate ignored us and did it anyway.

A vast percentage on Congress and Senate donate their salaries to charity.

But this week finalized and approved an increase in those salaries during a time of economic uncertainty.  Good for the charities I guess.  I think however I would have rather chosen which charities to give MY money instead of the government.  Their choices with money are really poor, so how are they going to make a logical one here.  Mr Congressman, where will you donate your salary?  “Um, I think I will donate to the M&M Candy Foundation providing chocolate to all the countries youth.”

This next week capital hill will be buzzing with excitement and the inauguration of Obama.  Rightfully so.  It is historic, it will be attended by thousands upon thousands, and for the first time in 20 years there is neither a Clinton or Bush in the ticket.  Yeah!

But here is what is crazy.  Bush was creamed in the press for his inauguration costing 40 million dollars, which I agree is high and a stupid waste of money.  Not all of it but a bunch of it.  Obama’s inauguration is estimated to pass 160 million dollars in total cost.  Outrage?  Nope.  What an absolute waste of money in a time of economic trouble.  Now, 41 million was raised in private funds.  Bush and Clinton also raised a huge portion as well in private funds.  Difference….the taxpayers were left on the hook for 1-6 million dollars in their inaugurations.  Obama’s?  Taxpayers portion will be 100 million.  Not cool.  Could there not have been a really kick butt inauguration thrown for 60 million?  After all it is still 20 million more than Bush or Clinton and still 100 million less than we are spending.  Better yet, a whole lot less burden on the taxpayers.  60 million, I could have thrown one cool gig.  Finger foods, strobe lights, a DJ, blow up bowncies for the kids, balloons and maybe even a really big cake!  Oh, how is congress part of this?  They have to agree to release funds to the White House for these types of events.

The moral of this long winded story….Congress and Senate no longer are listening.  Instead, all you get is an email when you write them that says, “I appreciate your concerns at this time.  I have had to make some difficult decisions that will not be popular.  I feel however that in these trouble times, it was the best decision.  I will be running for re-election in X number of years and I would appreciate your vote.”

And you know what, why should they listen.  We haven’t been sending a message to them that we will replace them when they do stupid with lots of 000000 on the end of it.  After all if I had a 9% approval rating in my job I would be unemployed.  How about you?

So here is my message to Congress…Start Listening or We Will Replace You!  Stop acting like a bunch of children in a candy store.  Stop spending my money on stupid crap this country cannot afford.  Start acting like a leader if you know how.

Seriously- Why?

Tags

Bush, Christian, Congress, Democrat, Education, hate groups, media, Obama, recycling, Religion, republican, senate, terrorists

Some random thoughts on a strange day in my world.

Why do we keep electing people to Congress and Senate who currently carry a 9% approval rating?  Does this mean that only 9% of us are voting?

Why do we throw a huge fit when there are Stimulus packages a year ago but now that there is getting ready to be one for up to 1 trillion dollars no one is saying a word?

Why do we see fault in an outgoing Republican President for things that a Democratic Congress controls?

On the flip side, why do we see fault in an incoming Democratic President who has yet to lead?

Why do we blame everyone but ourselves for not living within our means?

Why are we stunned that a politician who has never held a real job in their lives cannot relate to what we are going through?

Why is it politically correct to bash Christians over their beliefs but not any other religion or lifestyle?

Why are we so consumed in having crap we do not need?

Why do we believe everything an agenda driven media says or publishes?

Why do some people never use a turn signal?

Why is it so hard for people to see that the school systems are not indoctrinating our kids and that it is us that have stop being parents?

Why do some people feel “entitled” to things that are not “entitlements” like a college education?

Why do people with the brattiest children think they are soooo cute?

Why do some people keep making stupid decision after stupid decision and never see it?

Why do we live in a place that does not mandate recycling?

Why do people join hate organizations or become terrorists?

Why did I just spend the last 15 minutes writing this?  I guess that is a question that is all mine to answer.

Just one of those days when I felt like jumping on the soap box and throwing it out there.  Want to answer some or all…please do so.

Should We Have To Test Before Voting?

Tags

Bill of Rights, Civics, Congress, Foreign Policy, government, Politics, president, senate, voting

Each year American Civic Literacy www.americancivicliteracy.orgdoes a test to see how knowlegable Americans are on Government and Civics.

Well, this year, just as others, proves that not many people are educated in the least when it comes to our Government.

Here were the findings- prepare to be shocked.

• Less than half can name all three branches of the government.
• Only 21% know that the phrase “government of the people, by the people, for the people” comes from Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.
• Although Congress has voted twice in the last eight years to approve foreign wars, only 53% know that the power to declare war belongs to Congress. Almost 40% incorrectly believe it belongs to the president.
• Only 55% know that Congress shares authority over U.S. foreign policy with the president. Almost a quarter incorrectly believe Congress shares this power with the United Nations.
• Only 27% know the Bill of Rights expressly prohibits establishing an official religion for the United States.
• Less than one in five know that the phrase “a wall of separation” between church and state comes from a letter by Thomas Jefferson. Almost half incorrectly believe it can be found in the Constitution.

Americans from all age groups, income brackets, and political ideologies fail the test of civic literacy.

• Americans age 25 to 34 score an average of 46% on the exam; Americans age 65 and over score 46%.
• Americans earning an annual income between $30,000 and $50,000 score an average of 46%; Americans earning over $100,000 score 55%.
• Liberals score an average of 49%; conservatives score 48%.
• Americans who go to church once a week score an average of 48%; Americans who never go to church score 50%.

So here is my question: Should we have to take and pass a test to be allowed to vote?  Do you think based on this information that people have made good decisions on who to elect and represent us?

US Government- Political Nincompoops!

Tags

Clinton, Congress, government, McCain, Obama, Pelosi, Politics, senate

Let me first start by stating in no way would I want to be a Congressman, Senator or god forbid, President.  I think these have become thankless jobs with only a downside.  50% of people love the job your doing and 50% hate it.  Or in the case of the Congress right now, 12% like what you do and 88% don’t care of dislike the job you are doing.

Why?

I think I have figured it out.

I think it is because no longer is a person elected by the people for the people.

It used to be that when someone was elected he or she represented the beliefs of their portion of the country.  In the more liberal areas of the country you would have representative that spoke of the beliefs that were important to them.  In more conservative areas the same, a representative that spoke conservative beliefs.  And from this, you had discussion and in some fair manor for the most part laws and acts were put into place.

One thing that never came into question however was the loyalty of anyone to our great nation.

Where has this all gone to the wayside?

We are now a nation run by Political Nincompoops.  Let me define “Political Nincompoop”.

A Political Nincompoop is a politician who ran on a platform, got elected, moved to Washington, and then forgot that he or she was there to REPRESENT the people that elected them.  In other words, just about all modern day politicians.  I also categorize politicians as Political Nincompoops when they vote for something or go on record stating something and “magically” forget that they said it.  For example…all of the congress people who called for the removal of Sadam but when things did not go as planned, forgot their position or blamed the other party for the problems.  It always amazed me that during the Clinton Administration everyone from Bill Clinton to Nancy Pelosi called for action against Iraq and when it happened no longer did they have correct information.  Oh, and I am not just picking on that side of the isle, the other side has just as much stupidity.

All that said,

How do you decide who to vote for and what characteristics do you find important in your candidates?  Do you think your candidate will avoid becoming a “Political Nincompoop”?  Why?

Now before you send me hate mail and tell me Obama or McCain are not like this I will tell you up front I have at least a dozen talking points that would prove you wrong on both people.