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Saturday, August 30, 2008
Half time, between the DNC and the RNC. A lot has happened this week
in politics. It's Obama - Biden vs. McCain - Palin. What a match up. I can't
wait until the debates. If the truth be known, this Democrat continues to
waver in his support for a presidential ticket. I am torn between historic and
family ties with the Democrats and security and economic conservatism with the
Republicans. I am very proud to call myself a Democrat. I am proud of the
diversity in the Democratic Party. The Democratic Party is the party for all
people. It tries to support and defend the constitutional rights of all
Americans. However, I strongly feel that Obama has not proven himself capable
to lead the greatest democracy that the world has ever witnessed. He just
doesn't have the experience. I think he has the judgment to be president, but
that judgment has not been tested in the governing arena. Yes, he is a great
politician. Perhaps he even rivals Bill Clinton for that claim, but he lacks
experience. Every president goes through an orientation period at the start of
his first term. Some complete that orientation quickly and others seem to
never fully complete it. In today's world we need a president who has
demonstrated not only the judgment, but the decision making ability that is
crucial in the role as president. Obama has earned his right to the nomination
of president, but he has not earned my support for the job of president. I don't
want to revert to past history, but Hillary Clinton would have been a better,
more prepared and more tested presidential candidate and actual president.
Well, that isn't going to happen in 2008. Moving on... Let's look at the
Republican candidate. McCain has been tested. He is ready and capable of
assuming the office of the presidency immediately, but I distrust this newly
far right conservative evangelical acting McCain. He is not the maverick of
2000 and before. He has surrendered his maverick ideals and personal
convictions to the Republican evangelical extreme right. If he would have
declared that he would be a one term president and that he would govern based
on his original centrist positions, then I would have had a better rational
for supporting him. I think more swing Democrats and Independents would have
flocked to his side if he had remained the maverick McCain. But he did not.
His choice of a vice president is troubling for me. I believe Governor Palin
has a remarkable story to tell. She has been a very successful governor of
Alaska. She has been a remarkable human being in so many ways. She dealt with
and has won in the fight against corruption in Alaskan politics. She has
successfully govern with bipartisan support, cooperation and inclusion.
However, I believe she does not have the national and international experience
or knowledge necessary for the position of vice president, especially the
requirement of assuming the office of president in case of emergency. Another
terribly important point to make, if she and McCain were successful in
November and completed their terms in office and McCain did not seek a second
term, she would be almost guaranteed top consideration for a presidential
campaign. This would be devastating to human rights, social programs and the
crucial and appropriate protection of the constitutional rights of all people.
Palin in effect would govern following her extreme right conservative evangelical
mindset. This would be terrible. What a dilemma for me and I would suspect
many other American Democrats and Independents. Well, let that be as it may,
for now. Next week is the Republican Convention let's see how that plays out.
We still have over two months to make our decisions.
Monday, August 25, 2008
What a week this is going to be - The Democratic National Convention.
And then next week the other side - The Republican National Convention. Great
TV viewing, at least for the next two weeks. I will admit that I sometimes get
annoyed with the TV media. They beat every event to death. Immediately after
Senator Biden was selected as Obama's vp choose the media started attacking
him. But that's politics. I guess it's a good system, but they do go over
board at times. And then there's that freedom of speech thing. Now it seems
that everyone is a critic - TV news people and even the average Joe or Jill on
the street. The TV newscasters usually have the facts, sometimes the facts as
they see them, but nonetheless the usually have the information, but then they
make their broad leaps to sometimes illogical editorial-like conclusions.
Whereas the average person on the street, so to speak, is usually far less
factual. They don't take the time to gather the actual facts about a candidate
or situation or they pick and choose what satisfies their particular view. Too
often they make broad conclusions from erroneous or incomplete facts that
usually present a less than accurate view of the situation. I am constantly
amazed at the incomplete, inaccurate and sometimes totally wrong information
used by people to support their view on a subject. First my friends, get the
facts straights, the actual facts. Accurate and precise knowledge provides the
basis for good decision making. Second my friends, look at the facts in total
as they relate to the situation at hand. Do not pick and chose the facts that
you deem important, look at all the facts when making a decision. Finally my
friends, make decisions free from bias, opinion and rumor related details. I
think inaccurate, incomplete and selective information on a subject paired
with preconceived biases lead to erroneous conclusions. Don't be afraid to
think outside the box, so to speak. And remember, many times, it is not about
you, it is about something bigger than you. In the end, you are entitled to
your opinion and all the freedoms contained in the United States Constitution,
but use those opinions for good including the betterment of society and ensure
those freedoms are applied fairly and universally to all people. That goes for
you TV news people, too.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
I read an article in the paper this morning that asks the question
about our economy that I have been asking for weeks, "Why doesn't the
American government reward people who save and are financially responsible?
Why is the government bailing out the financial institutions who are greatly
responsible for the mortgage crises as well as those people who irresponsibly
obtained mortgages well beyond their means? Fraud and corruption should be
uncovered and those involved prosecuted. However, financial institutions and
people who were imprudent about their financial capabilities should also
suffer the consequences of their irresponsible actions. The government should
not be rewarding institutions and individuals for irresponsible, unethical and
possibly illegal activity. People who are financially responsible, pay
their bills, live within their means and manage to save some of their hard
earned money should be the ones that the government recognizes for sound
financial living. In effect people who are financially responsible are
experiencing low interest rates in savings situations across the board. Our
economy as well as our government will continue to experience imprudent
behavior on the part of institutions as well as individuals if those at fault
are rewarded by governmental aid. Government, business interests, financial
institutions as well as individuals must learn to live within their respective
financial means. They must learn the meaning of hard work and responsible
financial behavior. With the challenges of our contemporary world, financial responsibility
must be a paramount goal of government, the private sector and individual
Americans.
I
will admit that savings rates are improving. Perhaps this is due to the
financial degradation of many financial institutions including banks. These
institutions need money, thus solicitous higher interest rates are starting to
be promoted. They must reward their faithful customers or those customers may
abandon them for other options. And they must seek to persuade new customers
to join their team. By the way, we haven't even discussed the stock market,
mutual funds and the like. I feel these options are a little more involved and
a little more risky for the average saver. Simple interest baring accounts are
highly secure and should be an option for every degree of saver. Many times
online banking offers the highest interest rates and many of the same savings
options (CD's, Money Markets, etc.) as the brick and mortar bank down the
street. Whether it's the neighborhood financial institution or online banking
the saver must do his or her research to secure the highest rates for diverse
savings options ensuring the security of his or her money. I
would always look for FDIC, Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation. FDIC insures accounts of individuals up to
$100,000, which includes all accounts for that individual at that institution.
Retirement accounts including IRA's are insured up to $250,000. I believe
joint accounts are insured at an higher amount, although I'm not completely
sure. Please check with your financial institution concerning any of this
information. (Do not take my word for it.) The Federal Government insures the
first $100,000 per individual at an institution, but the time period that it
would take for the government to reimburse you is not immediate. I'm not sure
of the time frame, but the government is always saddled by red tape. I would
have different accounts at different financially secure institutions to make
sure that I was solvent in case of a loss. Financial well being is not easy.
Nor is it automatic. It takes time, planning and hard work, but the rewards
are completely worth the struggle.
The
above discussion was general in nature. Please check with your financial
institution for complete and accurate information about accounts, rates, time
periods, insurance and the like.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Did you watch the Saddleback political forum on religion last night? If you
didn't, then you didn't miss too much. Same old, Same old...crap. If I was a
person of faith other than the Christian faith, I would have been appalled
with the politicizing of the Christian religion that took place under the guise
of political inquiry as it relates to values. I believe in the United States
Constitution. I believe that government and politics in general, have no
relevance to religion and vice versa. I believe in a strict and conclusive
separation of church and state. Last night was an exercise in demonstrating
the Christian values of the presidential candidates and how these Christian
values would enter into their role as president. This exercise has no place in
the political arena. I can not understand how the conservative right has
equated good government and good politics with being a Christian. Our
constitution, our forefathers, our American tradition has been totally opposed
to any kind of union between government and religious beliefs. It's only been
in the last century or more exact, in the least 60 years that political
leaders have sought to include religion in the selection of our governmental
leaders and in the execution of government. The conservative right
consistently seek Supreme Court justices who are strict constitutional
jurists. They say and I paraphrase, "Enforce the constitution...do not
legislate." However, the conservative right tries to incorporate religion
or religious beliefs or even religious values into politics and government.
They are seeking to change the constitution. In the beginning, when the
constitution was written the desire of its framers was to provide a government
with no allegiance to any state religion. Although the Republican religious
conservatives say there is no state religion in America, they continue to
subtly push the Christian value system into American politics and government.
This practice is completely against the original intent of our founding
fathers. It should be considered a constitutional crime and likened to
treason.
With
the above said, how did the candidates do? Fine. Each has his own style,
beliefs and convictions as far as Christian values and the implementation of
those values into his daily life. Senator Obama was more academic. He appeared
to be more of a reflective, intuitive and empathetic person who seeks to unite
rather than divide. Senator McCain actually had his best political moment thus
far in the 2008 campaign last night. He was direct, firm and funny. Obama
sounded like a person of the 21st century. McCain sounded like a person from
the last century. I doubt that McCain will be crowned President Bush III.
Obama is the person that the United States needs for its president. The United
States and the world community needs the an Obama presidency. Our future is at
stake. We can not go backwards. We can not afford to make another mistake in
selecting our American leader. I pray the the people of the United States will
see through the facade and false promises of the Republican conservative right
and let logic, good will and integrity be the determining factors in selecting
the next president of the United States.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Bush administration is at it again. This group is the worse - the worse in
arrogance, incompetence and world relations. The president referring to
Russia's invasion of Georgia, has said, and I paraphrase, a country's
invasion of another country has no place in the 21st century. What does he
think he did with respect to Iraq? President Bush ordered the invasion of
Iraq. He tried to justify this invasion by unscrupulous, questionable,
unethical and possibly illegal, impeachable tactics. Senator McCain has made a
similar statement in regards to invasions and the 21st century. What are these
Republicans thinking? Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice delivered a cease fire and retreat agreement to Georgia's president for
his signature. After he signed the agreement she proceeded to say, and I
paraphrase, now that Georgia has agreed to the conditions of the cease fire,
Russian forces must leave Georgia immediately. She has no plans to travel to
Moscow to secure the Russian president's signature. The whole affair was
poorly planned and executed in poor diplomatic taste. A face to face meeting
with all principals present should have been convened. The agreement should
have been uniformly secured in an objected, diplomatic style. Also, the
Secretary of State's statement that the Russian forces should leave Georgia
immediately was just plain stupid. What is going to happen if the Russian
forces do not leave Georgia? What would be the United States next option? I
dread to think of the consequences of such an inept and diplomatically naive
statement. As I mentioned earlier, Senator McCain seems to offer the same type
of solution. Maybe Senator Obama's naivety in world events will be actually a
positive step in the solution of such world diplomatic situations. Senator
Obama may be the right person for the job of president of the United States
and leader of the free world. I do believe that the Bush administration must
be free to solve diplomatic world problems without interference or interpretation
by the presidential candidates. However, President Bush does not leave office
until January 20, 2009 and the survival of the United States and the world are
at risk. My worry, a lot can happen in 5 months.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Last night The History Channel apparently aired a program on the complete
story of Oil. I didn't see the program, however, Rush Limbaugh apparently saw
it and raved about it on his Thursday Talk Radio show. He said that the
program supported his believe that oil has an overwhelming impact in our
lives. Yes, to say the least. And because of this impact he believes that we
should never turn away from oil as the answer to our energy crisis. It is true
that oil has a major impact in our lives. It does affect many aspects of daily
life. However, I believe that we as a nation must explore other forms of
energy to help alleviate our dependency on foreign oil. The key word here is,
"foreign". Rush sees the oil crisis as it relates to Big Oil's
agenda. In this case as in most cases, he failed to see the big picture - the
picture that encompasses the needs of all Americans. Yes, we need oil. Our
lives are affected by oil, but there are other solutions that together with
United States oil supplies and technology will help us become energy
efficient, self-reliant and independent. Wind, solar, nuclear among others
should be open to exploration and development. To control our dependency on
oil we must also use conservation and prudent energy efficient practices. I
believe that all areas in the United States should be open to drilling, with
the necessary environmental restraints and safeguards. We are in an energy
crisis. All major sources of energy must be explored and become a resource in
lessening our dependency on foreign oil. The United States must use all
resources available to become an energy independent country. This approach is
energy smart, financially prudent and a key to ensuring national
security.
You
may be asking yourself, "Why is a liberal Democrat listening to Rush
Limbaugh?" Well, I usually listen to Rush in my car while driving home
from my morning coffee and newspaper break. I do agree with Rush on some of
his ideas. I enjoy listening to all points of view. I believe an intelligent,
secure person is open to all views. I cherish the concept of freedom of speech
among our other freedoms. I prefer to think of myself as an eclectic thinking
person with respect, admiration and appreciation of others with similar and/or
dissimilar views to my own. And sometimes listening to Rush just cracks me
up.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
The 2008 Summer Olympics are in progress. The Opening Ceremony was
spectacular. The visual effects were outstanding. Many commentators have said
that the Beijing Opening Ceremony was the most technologically advanced ever.
Although technology did play an enormous role in the presentation, so did the
old Chinese artistic traditions. I did watch bits and pieces of the ceremony.
The Chinese historical and/or legendary artistic presentations reminded me of
the China exhibit at Epcot in Orlando. I guess I'm not a connoisseur of fine
artistic expression. President Bush seemed a little unexcited throughout most
of the night. He did perk up when the United States athletes paraded into the stadium.
The President and Mrs. Bush rose to their feet and waved on the American
athletes with small American flags, smiles and hand waves. Up to that point
the president looked bored, hot and generally uncomfortable. He looked at his
watch several times. Now is that reminiscent of another President Bush? Sure,
George H. W. Bush in one of his 1992 debates with then presidential candidate
Bill Clinton. Those Texan oilmen sure do get mighty bored with the real world.
I would have gotten bored, too and mighty tired at the Opening Ceremony. After all,
the temperature in the open air stadium was 90 degrees. Be that as it may, the
Olympics are here and provide an international break from the hostilities of a
divided world. Go U.S.A.!
Monday, August 4, 2008
The changing of the guard. For the last couple of years people have been
moving out of Florida in numbers surpassing those who are moving into the
state. People have been fleeing the state due to the hurricanes, high property
taxes, highly inflated cost of real estate, traffic, the economy and probably
a host of individual reasons. Fewer total people living in a geographic area
seems good, right? Wrong. Municipalities have been losing thousands of
residents and thus losing thousands of dollars in their tax base. Schools have
been losing students. One would think that class size was dropping, too, but
no, class size keeps going up to the legal limit. The drop in total enrollment
significantly decreases the schools per pupil revenue from the state - so,
cram those kids in those classrooms and get more for less. More is better, at
least when it comes to dollars and cents. Some local taxes are increasing and
some services are being eliminated or greatly reduced to save revenue due to
the drop in population. Real estate is a mess. Although real estate is now
more realistic in price, many people are living in homes worth less than their
mortgages. Sounds bad? Hang
on now, many of these dire situations are beckoning to the baby boomer
generation to rediscover that Florida is once again a Mecca for happiness.
Baby Boomers, at retirement age or close to it, are expected to start flocking
to the state in search of that paradise of years ago. Real estate prices are
more reasonable - it's a buyer's market and then there's all that sun and
sand. I know that history repeats itself. I'm aware of the fact that life is
cyclical in nature, but a Florida boom so fast? Well, I guess that's progress.
It will help our economy. At least the tax base will be rejuvenated, schools
will be back to overcrowding and then there's that traffic. Traffic,
congestion and all of those people, again. Boy, things happen fast in Florida,
especially south Florida.
Sometimes
I think that subjectively commenting on the presidential campaign as well as
other political and nonpolitical events should be off limits to the media.
Isn't it the job of the media to objectively report the news? Well, they
aren't doing it. I wish the media would report the happenings of the day and
let the viewers make their own conclusions. I would be willing to bet that
more would get done in congress, the White House and in government generally
if the elected as well as the non-elected governing entities were free to do
their jobs without media interpretation and biased scrutiny Just the facts,
let us make up our own minds. Example: both presidential candidates have tweaked
their positions on some of the current issues - Iraq War, energy, off shore
drilling, gasoline crises, gasoline reserves as well as others. Senator Obama
has said that in order to get things done, he would be open to seeing some
issues differently, i.e. off shore drilling and the gasoline reserves. Senator
McCain has an history of crossing the aisle and compromising with other
lawmakers in an effort to pass important and necessary legislation. When they
do these things, the media labels them as flip-floppers. My goodness, we need
leaders who are not afraid to negotiate and compromise in a bipartisan manner
to solved the critical problems facing our country. Yea, I know, the media is
only doing it's jobs. It's job? I thought reporting the news in an unbiased,
objective manner was it's job. Why must they, not only attack and question,
but spend so many resources in digging up the insignificant dirt and then slinging
it. They say they do so in the name of a free press for the betterment of a
free people. If you ask me, I believe they do it for the betterment of their
own careers and the wealth of their media group. The role of the media should
undergo a congressional investigation and be held accountable for disrupting legitimate
governmental functioning and for a complete lack of concern and respect for
the original concept of freedom of the press. Then again, it is the 21st
century. Society is changing. Perhaps the media is doing it's job?
Saturday,
August 2, 2008
Today the presidential candidates seem to be back to waging their
campaigns with issues instead of attack jargon. I hope this continues. The
last week was horrendous with the McCain attack dog tactics against Obama.
McCain as well as his Republican cronies seem desperate and apparently feel
hopeless in their sinking campaign against Obama and the Democrats. Too bad,
but that doesn't give McCain license to attack Obama in seedy, racially
sensitive innuendo and downright nasty political attacks. Actually the attacks
were less political and more personal and extremely unacceptable. McCain
should attack Obama's stand on the issues not his World Trip using Brittany
Spears and Paris Hilton as comparative instruments. This almost makes me feel
sympathy for Brittany and Paris. They were being used by McCain. Shame on you
John McCain. Where is the maverick McCain of years past? Where is the
honorable competitor of previous political campaigns? Too bad for you John
McCain. You are looking like a loser, a grumpy old man. I am still independent
in my support of a presidential candidate, but this show of poor judgment and
totally unacceptable campaign behavior is negatively influencing my dwindling
potential support of Senator McCain. I hope the candidates have returned to
the issues and stay with the issues. Americans must choose their next
president based on the candidates' strengths and weaknesses and potential
effectiveness and success of being president. The critical issues facing
America and the world must be the parameter for comparison and selection of
the next American president.
Here's
a curious observation: Obama seems to have the momentum, the crowds and the
money, but why then is he so close to McCain in the polls? And why is McCain
trying all sorts of questionable campaign tactics in his contest with Obama?
The answers may lie in the nature of this presidential contest - anything goes
or expect the unexpected. The 2008 presidential contest is totally off the
boards. It has been and apparently remains unpredictable, big time. With the
present economic situation and the prevalent anti-Iraq war sentiment, Obama
should be many points ahead in the national polls, but he isn't. Why? Maybe
the reason is Obama's lack of maturity in the political system. We just do not
know enough about the character, judgment and presidential readiness of
Senator Obama. He just hasn't been tested and vetted if you will. Both
candidates are vetting their possible vice-presidential choices. Senator
McCain has been vetted. He has years of proven success, respect and admiration
in the political, governing arena. So, who is the odd man out, so to speak -
Obama. Senator Obama seems like an O.K. person, but he has not proven himself
in politics and government? He is virtually an unknown novice in the political
arena. We must look carefully at the character and the presidential readiness
of Obama as well as any person seeking the highest political office in
American. I believe this is the answer to the national poll situation. The
American people want change, but they do not know enough about the real Barack
Obama to be fully dedicated to his candidacy for president. I believe that
John McCain is ready to be president. I do believe that he will win the
presidential contest if and only if he returns to the McCain of 2000, the maverick
McCain, the McCain who does the right thing in the way that he sees it. He has
a proven record of success in all of the characteristics of a viable
presidential candidate. He must return to his true self and let his record and
reputation speak for him. If he does this, he will be the candidate of change
and will overwhelmingly win the presidential election in November. To Thine
own self be true Senator McCain.
Friday,
August 1, 2008
The
look of this blog is a little different. Well, I guess it is. In the past,
these monthly blogs have been created, edited and then made available to the
Internet community on a monthly basis. The current month's blog was usually
published on the first of each month. Starting with the August 2008 monthly
blog, entries will be made to the current month's blog throughout the month on
a semi-daily basis. I believe that this format will make the blog a more
relevant and living record of my thoughts, opinions and views on subjects that
I hold dear.
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