Sunday, December 18, 2011

Anti-Semitism Could Spark World War III

There is rampant and irrational anti-Semitism across Europe and now the United States. Even secular Jews (those who don't practice their faith) are on the attack. For those who remember history it is very similar to the anti-Semitism that preceded World War II that eventually led to the extermination of over 6 million Jews. After the war the cry was "Never Again" , yet we are now repeating history in spite of this cry.

It starts with leadership. Amazingly the leaders in Europe who seem to have a short memory of the Nazi atrocities right in their own countries either participate in the anti-Semitism or remain silent, which is just as bad. The United Nations is clearly anti-Israel and anti-Semitic. They ignore acts of terrorism against Israel and constantly criticize the Jewish state. Then there is President Obama. He has essentially turned his back on Israel and insulted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Obama's call for borders based on the lines prior to the Six Day War of 1967 showed a total disregard for Israel, and would place Israel in a defenseless position against neighbors who want to destroy her.Yet Israel is one of our strongest allies and the ONLY true democracy in the Mid East.

Then there is the media who has clearly displayed anti-Semitism. The New York Times has had a constant stream of articles that are anti-Israel, and in reality, anti-Semitic. They are not alone. The terrorist organization, Hamas (and others) have been continually firing missiles and rockets into Israeli civilian populations. Hardly a mention by the media or the UN. Yet when Israel responds to defend herself there is widespread criticism. This is where it becomes irrational. It is OK to bomb civilian populations, not OK for Israel to respond.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has repeatedly stated that he wants to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Reports are that Iran is just months away from achieving a nuclear weapon, but even this is being discounted by the media and other sources. Few doubt, however, that Iran is moving quickly toward nuclear weapons capability. The Sunday Times of London recently reported that Israel is setting up an "Iran Command" to not only deal with the threat but fueling speculation that a military attack may be in the works. With the entire Mid East in turmoil, the entire region is becoming a threat. The call for removal of dictators by the U.S. and others may seem like a good thing, but a vacuum has been set up that has allowed radical Islamic groups to begin to take over. They all hate Israel and want to see her destroyed.

The anti-Semitism in Europe, within the U. S., the U.N. and the media, along with a madman in Iran close to nuclear weapons capability, coupled with an entire Mid East in turmoil has set up a flash point between Israel and Iran. Israel cannot just sit back and let themselves be destroyed as has been announced repeatedly by Ahmadinejad. They will be forced to take a pre-emptive strike. This could very well spark a NUCLEAR World War III that will draw in many nations, including the United States.

The only thing that may be able to stop it is for the American people to speak up. Speak up against anti-Semitism. Speak up against nations that want to destroy Israel. Speak up and demand that the rocket / missiles attacks against the civilian population in Israel cease immediately. Speak up that our federal government in Washington again take a leadership position, not to initiate attacks or war, but a firm hand to bring about peace. Speak up that we support our friend and ally, Israel.

The American people need to speak up to prevent World War III and live up to the pledge, "Never Again".

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Students at PVMCFL Mother's Day Dinner

It struck me when I read a comment from abortion activist, Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL, when she commented about the March for Life in Washington: “I just thought, my gosh, they are so young,” she told Newsweek. “There are so many of them, and they are so young.” The thought of course, is the great strength of young people in the Pro-Life movement. If we ever are going to completely turn this situation around and end abortion in America it has to involve the great strength of youth so that the "Life-Torch" can be carried by the next generation.

For several years I operated a business where we employed several young high school and college age females. They were all very nice and intelligent girls. After I got to know them I would gently ask them in conversation what they felt about abortion. When they were asked the question, and put in a position to answer, they would seem to hesitate, not quite sure...but would mostly say that they were "Pro-Choice". The reason, I believe, is that they had been through the system of indoctrination with all the false propaganda of "it is a woman's right"; a fetus is just a mound a flesh, not a life; women die if they don't have access to an abortion, etc., etc. You know all the false lies. When I explained to them, however, about the actual existence of life according to REAL medical science, and the brutal procedures, especially with partial birth abortion, they were horrified. Unbelievably they had never been informed of the real facts nor understood what abortion actually is...the taking of a life.

I firmly believe that education, truth...and youth are the answers to turning the situation around in favor of Life.

To this end, the following is recommended:

* Each year the Pioneer Valley Massachusetts Citizens for Life (PVMCFL) has a wonderful and very successful Mothers Day Dinner. In this event they have recognized and involved students...young people, and that is good.

* What is recommended, however, is that this be expanded to specifically include MANY tables of high school students that are part of any Pro-Life groups at the high schools. High school students are at an age where they are mature and intelligent enough so that they can understand the issue of "Life". All they need are the facts and truth.

* In order to accomplish this, it is recommended, under faculty guidance, that student to student contact be made in order to encourage many student groups from various high schools in the region to attend the PVMCFL Mother's Day Dinner. It is also recommended that effort be placed in order to grow this student involvement from year to year.

* As part of this proposal we look for ways, through financial contributions, so that we can assist the students to attend the Dinner at a reduced rate, and so that the PVMFL Mother's Day event does not lose money while doing so. It can be done.

*If agreeable, it is suggested that we start NOW in preparation for the 2012 PVMCL Mother's Day Dinner where we look to significantly expand student involvement in the Dinner this coming year, and go from there.


Again, if we are ever going to end abortion in America...then the youth of our country HAVE TO be a strong part of the mission to accomplish this. What is suggested is that we take this one positive step with the PVMCFL Mother's Day Dinner.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Outrageous! Another Bail Out of Fannie Mae???

On the back page of USA Today, in a small article, it is mentioned that Fannie Mae is looking for still another $7.8 billion bail out (USA Today Nov. 9, 2011). This should have been on the front page. This is after Fannie Mae had ALREADY received a $113 billion bail out of taxpayer money. Fannie Mae has operated as a quasi government agency with the purpose "to expand the secondary mortgage market by securitizing mortgages in the form of mortgage backed securities." This became a major contributor to the crisis of the U.S. economy by offering home mortgages to people who obviously could not afford them. Default on mortgages leading to a financial crisis was easily predictable.

The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) was put into effect in 1977 during the Carter administration. The purpose was to require banks to loan money to low income people so that they could purchase a home. The intention sounds good, but this led to the misery of many who purchased homes that they could not afford and ultimately contributed heavily to the financial crisis in America. CRA was placed into high gear during the Clinton administration with actual overt threats to banks in attempts to make these types of loans, and it continued into the Bush administration. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac became the instruments to make this all happen.

Before we go any further it should be stated that before the pressure of CRA banks used a simple formula of affordability in regard to home mortgages and this worked fine for many years. It should also be stated that many of us lived very comfortably and happily in rented apartments until we were able to afford to buy a home. Still further, you don't help people with low income by encouraging them to buy homes that they cannot afford, placing them in financial stress only to end up in foreclosure.

During this period of time Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were not only instruments used to make this all happen, they, to this day, are fraught with mismanagement if not outright corruption. Congressional oversight of these two institutions were not only lacking, but actually misleading to the Congress and the American people. To this point here we have Fannie Mae asking for an additional bail out of $7.8 billion while at the same time CEO Michael Williams has received a bonus for his "good work" of $2.4 million! What could be more outrageous? Further demonstrating the outrageousness of the whole situation CEO, Ed Haldeman of Freddie Mac received a recent salary of $900,000 and a bonus of $2.3 million!

What we need to do is shut down both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The government should not be involved in banking and the bundling of securities. Banking should be a private, not a government industry. We should go back to basic simple formulas for the affordability of home mortgages. You don't help people by encouraging them to buy a home that they cannot afford...you hurt them.

Hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars have gone to those who have mismanaged Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These Institutions continually compound our financial crisis. This needs to stop. NOW!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Beware of Polls

As the 2012 elections approach polls are frequently issued. Various media sources use them and report them as reflecting the truth regarding public opinion. Before you put faith into the reported polls and what the media tells you that they mean it is strongly suggested that you consider the following:

* The voting eligible population of the United States is 218 million people. (United States Elections Project; The U.S. Census).

* The typical number of those polled is 1,000 people.

* This sample represents 0.000005 of the voting population or 0.0005% of the voting population.

* Little to no information is offered on what specific questions were asked; in what context the questions were asked; who was asked; the demographics of those asked and political affiliation; how the questions were asked (by phone, in person, by E-mail, written form, etc.); where the questions were asked; and the timing of when the questions were asked vs. other events.

* Many of the polls issued are conducted by those who have a definite bias toward a desired outcome. Many of the frequently reported polls are in fact of this sort.

* Although the sample size used may be statistically correct (although extremely small vs. the population as shown above), polling people is MUCH more complex than sampling widgets off a production line, as an example. In fact it is extremely complex with people. Such things as the precise wording, voice inflections if in person, and a whole host of human factors enter in. For all the reasons given above I would venture to say that the sample size of polls that are used to measure public opinion on critical issues facing our nation are grossly inadequate and much too small.

In the book "The Opinion Makers, An Insider Exposes the Truth Behind the Polls" by David W. Moore, former Senior Editor of the Gallup Poll, the author points out many of the problems with polling, and how polls can be manipulated. In fact Mark Crispin Miller, Professor of Media Studies at New York University, was quoted in reference to the book as saying "A powerful argument that polls do not merely misinform us but pose a genuine, if subtle, threat to our democracy". If this is the case, and it is believed that it is, there should be questions asked on why we seemingly blindly report and believe polls, and why they are not more questions raised by objective media reporters.

Many polls that are issued are used to influence public opinion, not measure it. In the 2004 presidential election between George W. Bush and John Kerry a number of exit polls issued had Kerry significantly (and falsely) in the lead. These exit polls were issued by media sources that definitely favored Kerry. The exit poll results were issued prior to all polls in the United States being closed. This was clearly an attempt to influence the election. (All this was swept under the rug after the election.) A number of years back the Boston Globe issued a poll on same sex marriage. The Globe interviewed only 500 people and had a definite bias in favor of same sex marriage. Yet not only did no one question the poll (with all the issues given above) but the results spread like wild fire across the country with headlines reporting that the American people favored same sex marriage.

There is LITTLE question that as we approach 2012 that many polls will be used, not to measure public opinion, but to influence it. Beware.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Bigger? A Direct Threat to the United States

Bigger is NOT better. In fact in 1890 there was public outcry against monopolistic activities, those that led to becoming too big, too dominating, and too powerful. As a result Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act. The Clayton Antitrust Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act were both passed in 1914 in follow up. These laws placed things in check for a period of time. During the 1980's, however, the antitrust laws were not rigorously enforced. Since that time there appears to be only hand slaps as not only corporations grow dominate in certain areas , but vital industries such as banking /finance, energy / oil, transportation, pharmaceutical, Internet & social networking, healthcare, communications, and others have fallen into the hands of the giant few.

We now frequently hear the phrase “too big to fail”. Why is it that no one questions how and why these entities, in direct opposition to anti-trust and anti-monopoly laws, were allowed to get so big? In fact “too big to fail” is the exact antithesis of the antitrust laws that were felt to be critically important at the time.

Yet the very fact that these entities have been allowed to become “too big to fail” is a direct threat to the democracy and the sovereignty of the United States, and our personal freedoms. It also absolves all responsibility and in most cases the taxpayers of America end up paying to prop up the failing industry.

It gets much, much worse, since it propels itself to not only vital industries, but to government itself. The Founders of our country knew that the best way to preserve our democracy was to keep the power at the local and state levels, closest to the people. Yet today we have the pulling of all power to the federal level, with a great deal of new governing activity at the international level. The further distance the government is from the people, the worse the plight of the people. In this process not only do people have less and less to say in the governing and decisions that affect them, but they begin to incrementally lose personal freedoms.

In the rational and responsible world if you have several entities competing in a particular industry and one through mismanagement, corruption, or whatever the cause, fails…you let it fail. That is reality! You take whatever lumps that occur, learn from it, and go on. Not only is this being responsible and rational…it is actually vital to allow this to happen. Yet what we see is the tying together of entire industries into bigger and bigger super structures. The great danger of the “too big to fail” philosophy is that you allow things to be positioned such that if one fails, it brings down the entire industry…or, the entire country. How have we ever allowed this to happen?

For America, we are allowing ourselves to get dragged into dependency on the international level, as well. You notice recently how the economic failure of Greece is being ALLOWED to bring down the global economy, including that of the United States. We give billions of dollars to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without the approval of the American people, they then turn around and require us to pay into the IMF and dictate certain directions concerning our economy. This should never, never be. This same scenario is happening with the G-20, the World Bank, the International Court, the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and more. They make it appear that we need to think “global”, and tell us that everything is global today, and this lulls us into giving up everything that our nation was founded upon. A big mistake. The American people have little or nothing to say, even our Congress is circumvented, yet these global organizations are being allowed to incrementally control vital aspects of our country, and in turn, the people of America. Through this process our Constitution is being violated, and along with that our democracy, our personal freedoms, and even the sovereignty of the United States is threatened.. Bigger is not better!

Recently we had a power outage in the Northeast where over a million people were without electricity. Local municipalities are now tied into bigger regional and national grids. When the grid goes down millions of people are affected. Is this a good thing? Is bigger better? Or is it better to have local control over power generation and when a storm or an outage happens a larger population is not affected….hundreds, or thousands, vs. millions? Is there also a better, clearer, and faster opportunity to fix the problem at the local level? Bigger may not be better since the responsibility lies close to the people who are affected…just as in the government examples.

We are on a very dangerous path with our country. Vital industries and control are being allowed to fall into the hands of a few. On the international level we are allowing our Constitution, our democracy, our freedoms, and our sovereignty as a nation to slip away into the hands of international organizations where the American people have no say.

Bigger IS NOT better. Our Founders were genius in forming our great country so that control would be at the local level, not the federal, and certainly not the international level. Yet the current trend is just the opposite, and dangerously so. This trend is a direct threat to our country. It is time for all good Americans to speak up and act.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

3 Days of Darkness, A Warning

The Northeast power outage should be a warning to us all. If an enemy of the United States, or if elements of our own government wanted to take over our country, they could easily cripple us by attacking our regional and national power grids. What this does is immediately isolate people, communications, and worse, placing us into a very vulnerable position. For much of the country when it happens in winter it is even worse.

People are obviously left without all their electrical devices. No television, no radios, and no phones, and in the winter, no heat. People take for granted how much communication means in their daily lives. Most people will be without sufficient batteries. Battery operated devices will be short lived as the batteries wear out and without the ability to recharge the rechargeable ones. Gasoline and other fuels will be scarce, many relying upon non existent electrical dispensing. Those who have generators will run out of gasoline or fuel to run them. In a short time the ability to generate power will disappear.

Perishable foods will spoil. There will be a rush for non perishable food and this food will soon become scarce. People will make fires for heat, cooking, boiling, or use other toxic or dangerous devices and many accidents, even deaths will occur. Water will become scarce since water treatment plants will depend upon non existent power sources. Water will become contaminated and will present problems for not only drinking but for bathing and cleanliness. Health problems will begin to occur with the potential of widespread disease. Medical and emergency services will be greatly curtailed...eventually people will not even be able to call 911.

The network of vital communication will be cut short to family members within a home and the immediate neighborhood. It will be very difficult, if not impossible, to communicate with family, relatives, and friends for information and support outside the immediate area. Vital information from responsible government, news, and support services will be very limited. Communication will, to a large extent, be by word of mouth. The difficulty with this is that it will be very hard to distinguish truth and facts from opinions, rumors and incorrect information. This will cause a lot of confusion with many isolated pockets of people.

With a prolonged power outage, the above scenario is exactly what will happen (and has happened to some extent recently). In addition to the great peril that the people of our country will be placed into through this process, if an enemy of the United States wishes to attack us; or an element of our own government wants to do away with democracy and turn us into a totalitarian state we will be very helpless to defend ourselves. (If this sounds far fetched, how many of you completely trust those in Washington? Surveys have shown very few.)

What we need to understand and do is the following:

1) We need to understand how we all are tied into regional and national power grids. Bigger is not always better vs. local area power sources that can act and provide power locally in an emergency. A large scale "grid" implies by its nature that when it goes down...everybody is without power! This is not a good thing. We need to not only FULLY understand this, but have a clear and publicly explained plan on how to prevent large scale power outages to a massive number of people. Currently this is all much too mysterious and it should NOT be.

2) There needs to be a national plan, well known and communicated, in the event of an emergency where very massive numbers of people are without power over an extended period of time. We should not be, as appears to be the current case, in a reactionary mode. It is clear that in the last several large scale power outages we definitely appear to be in a reactionary mode. This is unacceptable to the people of this country and unacceptable in regard to our national defense. All of us should have pasted up on our refrigerators what our national plan is, clear and simple, so we know what to expect and can plan for it. And how about the people in this country having a say about the whole thing?

3) At the local level there needs to be clear plans in the event of extended power outages. What can the people expect, what communications, emergency, and support mechanisms are in place? This is critical. There also needs to be a clear must list for families and individuals on what they need to do in order to prepare for extended power outages. They seem to be occurring at an increased rate due to weather and other causes. People need to know and prepare. The scenario above on what to expect with prolonged power outages is real!

We desperately need, on both the national and local levels, an emergency preparedness plan for long term power outages. NO matter what they say, we currently are reactionary and that is unacceptable.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Last Chance to Save America, The Plan

Under the leadership of Obama, never before in history has the United States been in such a dire state. Anyone who is paying attention and is "awake" should be able to see it. He is destroying our country right before us. The November 2012 election will be our last chance to vote him out of office. If he gets re-elected you can kiss our country good-bye. It should be easy to defeat him, but it will not be, for the following reasons:

1) Obama is receiving millions of dollars by big left wing backers. It is believed that much of this money is illegal through front organizations, and by essentially laundering money. Past history has shown he will also receive money through false names, dead people, taking others identities, etc. This allows one person to give a lot of money by splitting it up into smaller "legal" amounts. They want you to believe that these donations come from "many small donors" making it appear that this is a populous support. It is not. His war chest of money will end up being close to $1 billion, a record. They are desperate to keep him in power. This will be very difficult to overcome, but it can be by following this plan.

2) The media will go all out to get him elected. They will attack his opponent unmercifully, dig things up, make things up...do whatever is necessary. They will attempt to drop a bomb, or create something just prior to the election. This media support is like receiving hundreds of millions of dollars of FREE advertising in attempts to influence public opinion. Another tactic that is used is that they will use polls in an attempt to influence public opinion, making it appear that he and his cause is more popular than it actually is...or that the people prefer him over his opponent as president. All of this has to be overcome by first realizing this, and secondly by all of us constantly using the power of the Internet and our E-mail contacts in order to bring out the REAL truth.

3) Obama will get all kinds of support from union bosses, and organizations like ACORN (Yes they are still out there, changed names, gone more underground, etc. but still VERY active and functioning USING TAXPAYER MONEY). Voter fraud in favor of Obama will be rampant. Again falsifying names, voting several times in different areas, even manipulation of voting machines and actual votes. They will attempt to block or delay military votes as they have done before. Intimidation will occur. These organizations thrive on Obama's federal support and taxpayer money so they are not going to let go easily.

There is more, but I think that you get the picture. Even though the majority of people want him out of office the hurdle to accomplish this is very high, BUT IT CAN BE DONE. Following is what is recommended on what we need to do and It is firmly believed that this will work:

A) Now that a Republican candidate has been selected go to his web site and make a donation to the extent that you can afford. Even if you have never given before, you MUST do it for this election to help overcome Obama's massive war chest of money. Give $5, $10, $20, $100, $2,000...up to the legal limit. This is critical, we ALL have to give financial support. This is a must.

B) We need an organized force behind the candidate in order to counteract the union bosses and thugs, ACORN types of organizations, and the hundreds of front organizations financially supported by people like George Soros. The good news is that we already have one...The Tea Party. Don't be fooled by media and the left reports that they are radicals, racists, etc....this is all made up stuff since they fear their power. They are ordinary Americans, just like you and I, who are deeply concerned about the future direction of our country. The good news is that they are highly organized and can be a very powerful force as shown during the mid term elections. Look up the Tea Party in your area, or just google Tea Party and make sure you give a financial donation to the extent that you can. The Tea Party can be highly organized and will more than counteract the Obama corrupt organizations that support him, if we support them. MAKE SURE you give a donation to the Tea Party, they will need money in order to be fully effective. This is also critical.

C) Do whatever you can on a personal level. This starts with spreading this plan to make sure we defeat Obama to everyone on your E-mail list and ask them to do the same. This is very powerful and spreads the word exponentially. Secondly, encourage all that you know to vote in the election. Every single vote counts. For those inclined to do so participate on the local level in any way that you can. Place signs on your lawn, stickers on your car, write Letters to the Editor, etc. Many small efforts become big efforts and make a difference. Continue to use your E-mail contacts to keep the real facts and truth going, as well as by word of mouth. In our lifetime there has never been a time to fully and effectively participate in the democratic process and make a diffrence.

The key is NOT to sit back but become active as suggested above, and use the democratic process, and our freedoms to do so, against them.

This is not a normal election, it is a turning point in the history of America. You can play an important part. Do it for our country, do it for yourself, do it for your children, your families, your grandchildren, and do it for future generations. It is that important.

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If we all follow the basic plan above we will save America. It is that critically important. NO ONE should sit back.

Thank you.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Facts, Truth & Accountability Needed on Flu Vaccine

There are very short memories and no apologies for creating a false alarm in regard to the swine flu two years ago. The media headlines read "pandemic", and claimed that millions would die. Irresponsibly in further setting off a panic the media claimed that a young boy who died in Texas was the first case of a swine flu death. Later (and quietly) it was determined that the boy died from another cause. Furthering the panic it was first claimed that no known vaccine was available to prevent the swine flu. This was clearly reported. Then, suddenly and mysteriously, out of nowhere a swine flu vaccine appeared. There then was a push, almost a stampede, to get vaccinated with the new vaccine, with a particular push toward children. What they didn't tell you is that this H1N1 vaccine that seemingly came out of nowhere was manufactured in China.

In 2010, what they also didn't tell you, as reported by the Associated Press in a small paragraph on a back page, is that part of the regular trivalent seasonal flu vaccine contained a leftover component of the Chinese manufactured H1N1 vaccine. It seems that many people, in spite of the panic headlines, were skeptical. Along came the World Health Organization (UN) to help out. Somehow we allowed them to dictate that the trivalent seasonal flu vaccine for North America should contain a component of the leftover Chinese manufactured H1N1 vaccine. This was a part of the regular seasonal flu vaccine in 2010. Also, not reported, is that there were many problems with this vaccine, particularly with the elderly. The Internet was full of reports of complaints by elderly people who were suffering from extreme joint and muscle pain, some so severe that they hardly could walk. In some cases, these conditions lasted for weeks and even months after the flu shot.

In 2010 this writer contacted the Center for Disease Control and clearly asked some basic questions:

1) Was the 2009 H1N1 swine flu vaccine manufactured in China?

2) Did the 2010 regular trivalent seasonal flu vaccine contain a component of the leftover H1N1 Chinese manufactured vaccine?

3) Why is it that the United States and the CDC allows the World Health Organization (the UN) to dictate the composition of the seasonal flu vaccine given to the American people?

Pretty simple questions...huh? What I received from these questions is this big long explanation, that was to me nothing more than gobbley gook, and they didn't answer my basic questions. I went back to them a second time and again asked them to answer my basic questions. No response.

Who knows what is in the 2011 season flu vaccine? The American people need to know. There is a responsibility of the media to dig out the real facts and truth through some good investigative journalism and report this to the people. And, by the way, where is the accountability for the 2009 swine flu pandemic scare??

Monday, October 24, 2011

US Failed Foreign Policy in Mid East Very Dangerous

As you may remember the initial going in the Afghanistan war wasn't all that easy and we got bogged down militarily. Suddenly there appeared to be a breakthrough and it centered around Hamid Karzai, the current president. It turns out that it was a very duplicitous situation with him, with his ties into the terrorists, the Taliban, drug dealing, and other criminal activities. In looking for an easy way out, it was a deal with the devil. It is now coming back to bite us. Not only is he corrupt, but he has no loyalty to the United States whatsoever. As we withdraw there is no telling what might happen; a terrorist Islamic state is very possible.

In Iraq, in spite of the loss of many American lives, thousands severely wounded, and close to $1 trillion spent, our efforts there may fade away, as well. Iran, essentially unchecked, has been pouring in weapons and money to the Shiite militias helping to kill Americans and purposely de-stabilizing the country. When the people of Iran rose up against the existing theocracy, we did nothing whatsoever, even failing to offer verbal support while people were slaughtered in the streets. This was a missed opportunity and a major failure by the United States. The citizens of Iran were looking for some words of support from America. Mohsen Milani, chairman of the government and international relations department at the University of South Florida recently called the U.S. pull out of Iraq as “an unprecedented strategic gift to the Islamic Republic of Iran". As we leave Iran's influence will increase dramatically creating internal battles with a probable result of still another radical Islamic nation. All of our American blood and money would have been wasted.

Syria is already a radical Islamic state. The dictatorship of Syria has recently murdered thousands of their own people and continues to be a sponsor of terrorism. Our response has been weak.

Although there existed some dictatorships in the remainder of the Mid East, there was at least some degree of stability. Yet we supported the elimination of some of the dictators and the uprising of "the people", without knowing who they were. A vacuum is being created. One thing that is known, however, is that the groups that are organized have strains of Islamic radicalism within them. The Muslim Brotherhood are one, if you look at the real facts there are strong strains of radicalism within, despite of reports otherwise. So, through our foreign policy, or lack thereof, we have allowed total chaos to exist throughout the Mid East. Unrest and pockets of radical Islam exist in Libya, Pakistan, Yemen, the Sudan, Jordan, Egypt, and Kuwait. Turkey who was considered a pro western democracy, is also leaning more toward its' strong Islamic roots. In both Libya and Egypt already there have been announcements of an Islamic takeover in place of the deposed leaders.

Recently the United Nations offered a platform for Palestine to become an independent state within Israel. Yet Palestine does not even recognize Israel's right to exist, with elements calling for the annihilation of Israel. Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood who is the ideological cousin of Al-Qaeda has gained full control of the Gaza Strip. Every Palestinian political party operates a militia. This includes Hamas, Fatah, and PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine). They are all listed as terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union.

It gets much worse. Iran who has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel is well on its' way to developing nuclear weapons. The Sunday London Times recently reported that Iran will have nuclear weapons in 6 months. Whether this is correct or not, it will be soon. The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, presents himself as a mad man driven to destroy Israel. You can be sure that Israel will not just sit back and let it happen. They have excellent intelligence and when they feel that a nuclear strike is imminent they will strike first...they have no choice. They are a very small country bounded by hostile nations who are in a state of chaos and most likely headed toward Islamic radicalism.

In the absence of any strong world leadership by the United States; with widespread unrest in the Mid East with the threat of even more radical Islamic theocracies arising; couple all this with Iran with nuclear weapons...Israel will become a certain flash point for World War III. Not only World War III, the situation will become so desperate that it will become a NUCLEAR World War III. When it begins, many other nations throughout the world will be drawn in, including the United States. Russia is already Iran friendly, and China appears to be the same.

The failure of the United States to have any clear foreign policy and position toward the Mid East has helped, significantly, to lead to this. The failure of the United Sates to exercise world leadership, as in the past, has invited this. The failure of the United States to unequivocally support Israel has emboldened those who want to destroy Israel.

We have an extremely dangerous situation that now exists in the Mid East that can be directly attributed to our failed foreign policy.

Monday, October 17, 2011

To: Nina Burleigh

I read the book "The Fatal Gift of Beauty". You did an excellent job on the book, BUT it is VERY evident that you don't understand or respect Catholicism, you in fact insult it, even blaspheme it. You also don't understand the Italian culture and beliefs in regard to Catholicism and the saints, in particular the Blessed Virgin Mary. You quote some Italian who no doubt has little or no faith and make it APPEAR that is the way all Italians feel. It is not. A good book was ruined by your obviously negative undertone concerning the Catholic faith and the saints.

Al DiLascia
Chicopee, MA 01020
USA

The Importance of Family

From the beginning of time, the fundamental building block of society has been the family. This includes a mother, father, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and more. Love, support, caring, discipline, and a great strength and nurturing are provided by the family unit. There is never a guarantee, but children from such a nurturing family unit have a much higher probability of being good and productive citizens, as well as succeeding in life.

Most all religions have long recognized the importance of marriage and family, and that is why a marriage is considered a sacred union. When children come along there is a general common sense “formula” that increases the probability of children turning out well and succeeding in life. This includes parents who not only love their children, but spend time with them, guide them, discipline them, stay involved with their activities without being overbearing, and having knowledge on where they are as well as the quality of their friends. As already stated, following this common sense “formula” greatly increases the probability of children turning out well in life.

A country, such as the United States, greatly benefits from the strong family unit since the society at large is more prone to good productive citizens, less social problems, and less crime. This also affects the economy since a continuing stream of trillions of dollars are pumped into solving the social and criminal problems with society, as well as secondary effects.

Before continuing it should be clearly stated that there are many hero single parents who do a wonderful job raising their children. In many cases they are supported by a grandparent or other relatives. Yet even with a missing parent the same “formula” ingredients are there in offering a loving, nurturing, caring environment for the children, even though the ideal family unit may not be present.

Unfortunately the opposite is true when children are a part of a broken and /or dysfunctional family, and where there is a lack of a loving and nurturing environment. Without getting into all the psychological aspects on children in this environment, one thing is crystal clear…the probability of a child getting poor grades and into trouble in school, into drugs, crime, and not succeeding in life, is much higher. “Dysfunctionality” breeds “dysfucntionality”. Further, when widespread (and it is), the negative impact upon a country such as the United States becomes immense. It manifests itself in crime, and with a major negative impact upon society. Still further trillions of dollars are spent in attempting to solve the problem and this massive expenditure continues without solution. The reason? The fundamental root cause problem of the family is not addressed. The massive negative impact upon the economy continues.

A poor family environment can be present irrespective of race. Yet statistics are very revealing. One in four children in the United States are being raised by a single parent, and this has been on the rise and is higher than other developed countries. In the African American community, 72% of Black children are raised in a single parent household. There is also a higher rate of poverty. (NewsOne for Black America, April 27, 2011). Again it should be mentioned that there are many hero single parents that do a wonderful job of raising their children under some difficult circumstances. Nonetheless, this is a huge problem when 72% of Black children are lacking a parent, usually a father, and they are prone to live in poverty. It stands to reason that this type of environment, in many cases, leads to problems with education, behavior, crime, drugs, social problems and more. This is the root cause, and where the emphasis needs to be placed, on the importance of marriage, two responsible parents, and the family.

In addition, large racial/ethnic differences exist in the percentage of births to unmarried women, many of whom are young girls. Although unwed motherhood is an overall problem in America, the percentages range from approximately from 50 to 70% in the Hispanic and Black communities, respectively, as compared to approximately 25% for white women. (Executive summary: Report to Congress on out-of-wedlock childbearing, DHHS Publication No. 95-1257-1). Again, what follows with unwed mother situations is a tendency toward poverty, welfare dependency, social problems, poor education, and crime.

This factual information needs to be looked at by all those elected at the local, state, and federal levels of government. It also needs to be looked at by the leaders of the various communities, as well as religious organizations. It is only by looking at the facts that the root cause of the massive problem can be solved. The main emphasis should be all about helping people and society. Yet there is no denying that there is an ongoing cost to our country of trillions of dollars in welfare, social problems, and crime. It not only repeats itself, but it is growing!

There needs to be more education and emphasis to young people on the responsibility of relationships and parenthood. And there needs to be much more emphasis at all levels of government, religious organizations, and with community leadership on the importance of marriage, the family, and responsible parenthood. If this is not done, i.e. the root cause addressed, it will be a self perpetuating and increasing legacy.

It is time to place a prime importance on marriage, the family, and responsible parenthood in America. If this is done it will be a major, even gigantic, positive for our country. More importantly, it will lead to people, a society, that will have a more rewarding and content path through this life.

Friday, October 14, 2011

No Equivalency Between Occupy America & Tea Party

There is no equivalency between the “Occupy Wall Street” protests and the Tea Party whatsoever.

The Tea Party people stand for the Constitution, protecting our national sovereignty, limited federal government, significantly reducing our massive debt and balancing our budget, legal immigration and protecting our borders, energy independence using our own natural resources, personal responsibility, capitalism, preserving personal freedoms, capitalism, and democracy. In summary they have a very deep concern over the current direction of our country and the future for our children and grandchildren.

The Tea Party rally organizers take extreme measures to get proper legal permitting and to have peaceful rallies without disrupting business, traffic, or the citizens of the communities where the rallies are held. They always clean up after themselves with hardly a trace of garbage or debris.

For all of this they have been called radicals, racists, and even terrorists by some in the media and by high level people in our government.

The Occupy Wall Street rallies place the blame for the crisis in America, not on the government, but on the “top 1% wealthy and powerful in our country”, on Wall Street, the large banks, and large corporations. They favor distribution of wealth and socialism. Some even favor Marxism and communism over capitalism and democracy. Their rallies are rowdy and disruptive, some even forcing a large number of arrests. They openly break the law with pot and drug use. They camp out and make a mess and create a health hazard in the areas where they camp and protest. They don’t clean up after themselves but cost the locality thousands of dollars in clean up. They shun personal responsibility and feel that the government should take care of them and their needs through taxing the rich and powerful.

For all this they receive support from the media and many of those in high levels of government for their “grass roots” efforts and for using their First Amendment rights.

Long forgotten is the Cold War where the evils and brutal dictatorships of socialism, Marxism, and communism, and what they represented in suppressing their people. In the Cold War this was pitted against capitalism, and democracy where people have the freedom and the ability to succeed in life. And now there is a movement in America in favor of socialism, Marxism, and communism?

Also lacking is the understanding of history in that there has NEVER been any nation or regime where there hasn't been a small percentage of powerful and wealthy people at the top. Pure logic tells you that there always was and always will be. It would seem much preferred that those wealthy and powerful people at the top, many of whom have succeeded through education, innovation, and hard work…are part of a free and democratic country like the United States. Many of the wealthy and large corporations are the ones that lead the way in creating jobs and enhancing the economy in a capitalistic democracy. It is more than naive to think that in socialism, and in some of its worse forms, that there won't be a rich and powerful 1% (or more) at the top who will rule the populace with an iron fist…far removed from freedom and democracy.

It is time for a wake-up call in America. In fact it is past due.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Government is Becoming Dangerously Distant From People

It is a fundamental premise, even a truth, that the further the distance the government is from the people, the worse their plight.

In America, instead of having the power of government concentrated at the local level, and with the individual states, more and more of the power is being concentrated at the federal level. This cannot possibly be a good thing and is clearly contrary to our Founding as a country.

It gets even worse. International organizations are now being given more and power and control over people's lives. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) not only demands and takes billions of dollars of taxpayer money, but dictates directions that have a major influence on our economy. This is all done without the clear visibility and approval of the American people. The World Health Organization dictates the composition of vaccines given to the American people. The United Nations continues to assert itself way beyond the bounds of its originally intended purpose. International Courts are now attempting to exert jurisdiction over people, over and above the sovereignty of countries, and the laws that protect their citizens...including those of the United States. Regular meetings are held at the international level, mostly in secret, by what are referred to as the G-8, now G-20. This is in particular offensive to a free and democratic country such as the United States, and contrary to Constitutional principles. Yet it is occurring at an ever increasing pace. Much of it is done without the visibility, involvement, and approval of the American people.

Thus we have a very, very dangerous trend happening right before us. People's lives are being more and more controlled...not by local government, and individual states where people have the most say...but at the federal and international levels where people have little or no say whatsoever. And much of it is being done in secret!

What this all means to the American people is that personal freedoms will be greatly eroded. People's say in government and that which affects their lives will be practically non existent. Freedom and democracy will fall by the wayside. Worse.

The further the distance the people are from the government, the worse their plight. The Founders of our country warned us of this, yet this is exactly what is happening to the United States today. It is a gradual and ever increasing trend that is occurring right before us. All Americans need to speak up and call a halt before it is too late.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Marching Toward World War III

An imbalance has been set up in the Middle East. Iraq and Afghanistan are still unstable in spite of efforts by the United States to bring about democracy. Our foreign policy toward the remainder of the Mid East has been unclear, confusing, and even non existent. In recent times we have turned our back on Israel the one true democracy and staunch ally of the United States. This all has emboldened rogue nations in the region.

When the people of Iran rose up against the existing theocracy, we did nothing whatsoever, even failing to offer verbal support while people were slaughtered in the streets. This was a missed opportunity and a major failure by the United States. The citizens of Iran were looking for some words of support from America. The dictatorship of Syria has recently murdered thousands of their own people and continues to be a sponsor of terrorism. Our response has been weak.

Although there existed some dictatorships in the remainder of the Mid East, there was at least some degree of stability. Yet we supported the elimination of some of the dictators and the uprising of "the people", without knowing who they were. A vacuum was thus created. One thing that is known, however, is that the groups that are organized have strains of Islamic radicalism within them. The Muslim Brotherhood were sold as being analogous to the Boy Scouts...they are anything but if you look at the real facts. So, through our foreign policy, or lack thereof, we have allowed total chaos to exist throughout the Mid East. Unrest and pockets of radical Islam exist in Libya, Pakistan, Yemen, the Sudan, Jordan, Egypt, and Kuwait. Turkey who was considered a pro western democracy, is also leaning more toward its' strong Islamic roots.

More recently the United Nations offered a platform for Palestine to become an independent state within Israel. Yet Palestine does not even recognize Israel's right to exist, with elements calling for the annihilation of Israel. Hamas, the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood (Where have we heard those words before?), is the ideological cousin of Al-Qaeda and has gained full control of the Gaza Strip. Every Palestinian political party operates a militia. This includes Hamas, Fatah, and PFLP (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine). They are all listed as terrorist organizations by the United States and the European Union. Those who vote for "an independent Palestinian state" without any form of agreement for the protection and even the recognition of Israel are opening up legitimacy for even greater conflict in the region, if not all out war.

It gets much worse. Iran who has repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel is well on its' way to developing nuclear weapons. The London Times recently reported that Iran will have nuclear weapons in 6 months. Whether this is correct or not, it will be soon. The President of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, presents himself as a mad man driven to destroy Israel. You can be sure that Israel will not just sit back and let it happen. They have excellent intelligence and when they feel that a nuclear strike is imminent they will strike first...they have no choice. They are a very small country bounded by hostile nations who are in a state of chaos and most likely headed toward Islamic radicalism.

In the absence of any strong world leadership by the United States; with widespread unrest in the Mid East with the threat of even more radical Islamic theocracies arising; couple all this with Iran with nuclear weapons...Israel will become a certain flash point for World War III. Not only World War III, the situation will become so desperate that it will become a NUCLEAR World War III. When it begins, many other nations throughout the world will be drawn in, including the United States. Russia is already Iran friendly, and China appears to be the same.

The failure of the United States to have any clear foreign policy and position toward the Mid East has helped, significantly, to lead to this. The failure of the United Sates to exercise world leadership, as in the past, has invited this. The failure of the United States to unequivocally support Israel has emboldened those who want to destroy Israel.

Under the current United States, world, and Mid East circumstances we are marching toward World War III. It is that serious.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Abuse Being Used to Attack Pope and Catholic Church

No organization, including the Catholic Church, should tolerate abuse. They should do everything possible to rid themselves of it, especially when they represent religious and moral guidance for people. Legal and criminal action needs to be taken where abuse has occurred, with no cover up of facts or the people who perpetrated the acts of abuse. Yet the issue of abuse needs to be factual and placed into the context and perspective that it deserves.

Studies have shown that about 6% of the total number of priests were guilty of abuse. Not widely reported, however, is that about the same, 6%, were found in ALL faiths, including Jewish, various Protestant denominations, Muslim, etc. It is suggested that if the amount of abuse was studied for the U.S. Congress, the European Parliament, newspaper editors and columnists, teachers, the judicial, law enforcement, CEO's and top managers of companies, college professors, state legislatures, the Hollywood entertainment industry, etc., etc. that the sexual abuse level would be in the neighborhood of 6% or higher. In fact, in Hollywood you can bet that it would be higher than 6%. Just look at the fervent support by them for Roman Polanski who escaped punishment for child rape with their support. The point that should be taken is that the 6% figure may very well be a societal reflection from the increasing moral degradation of society. Just look at movies, magazines, and television to say nothing about how underage and young children are exploited.

Certainly if elements of the Catholic Church were involved in sexual abuse, or the cover up of it, that those responsible should be fully prosecuted and victims compensated. Yet there appears to be another agenda underfoot against the Catholic Church that has not been brought out. The Catholic Church is a high form of religion with strict teachings and guidance for Catholics. The Church is also highly organized with strong religious leadership from the top, represented by the Pope. This large world population of Catholics, highly organized, with spiritual leadership from the Pope flies in the face of much of the current direction of society, particularly in regard to abortion, marriage, and moral teaching. The Church also flies in the face of socialism and the strong control over people's lives by government.

Much of Europe, for example, might be considered Godless (and socialist) with a small percentage attending religious service. The same trend is occurring in the United States, although not yet at the level of Europe. Our society is becoming more secular and not religiously based; not God based. Those who are strongly secular, including many in leadership, actually hate the Catholic Church and it's teachings. Their agenda is a constant attack against the Church in every form imaginable. The abuse issue gives them a clear path of attack and an avenue of constant criticism. Yet the best way to attack the Church is to cut off the head, and that may very well be the reason for the current attempts to prosecute the Pope in an International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. This action can represent an ugly two edge sword.

First, the International Court can be used for agenda based issues and attempt to prosecute people anywhere in the world without the protection of the freedoms guaranteed in their country of origin. It can become a violation of individual freedom. Secondly, it undermines the sovereignty of individual countries, their laws, and the protections they offer their citizens. For those with their eyes wide open, this is very, very dangerous.

Pursuing action against perpetrators of abuse is the right thing to do. Using the issue of abuse and victims, however, as an agenda to attack and attempt to destroy the Catholic Church is wrong. This action in attempting to prosecute the Pope of the Catholic Church is major insult to all good Catholics, and to good people of faith everywhere.

Ridding America of Obama

Here is a suggested approach on what we need to do to rid our country of Obama by making SURE he gets voted out of office before he completely destroys America. People who have never before been activists should become activists to the extent recommended here. The future of our country, the future of your children, grandchildren, and future generations depends upon it. Don't be a person who failed to act when it was needed.

Here is what you can do:

1) Give financial donations to the Tea Party. They have become a very powerful force in America and this is the reason why the left hates them so much and falsely accuses them. I have attended Tea Party rallies as a photographer and photojournalist. I have observed them and I have talked to many of them. They are just good ordinary people, next door neighbor types...very responsible and friendly. Many had never attended a political rally before. Most of their signs were home made, not provided by an organization. They are not all "right wing", I talked to concerned democrats, and others that can't be labeled that way.

They all share a deep concern for the current direction of our country and are peacefully expressing their concerns. Nothing could be more American.

I can tell you first hand they ARE NOT racists, radicals, terrorists, barbarians, etc. etc. Those who call them that will have to be responsible to our Lord for "bearing false witness", since that is essentially what they are doing.

Most all Americans are concerned. The Tea Party represents a voice for the concerned. We should all be concerned. You don't have to be a "member" or attend any rally, but I urge you to give them your financial support. They are a voice that can help turn this situation around. This is Step 1.

2) Give a financial donation to the Republican candidate for President who finally emerges. I, personally, would from time to time, give a candidate that I liked financial support, but not always. This presidential race is different...it will determine the future of America. It is critical that we support the candidate. You can bet that people like George Soros, Jeffrey Immelt of GE, and others will pour millions of dollars into support of Obama. Some of it will be done illegally through front organizations, or through false people (made up, deceased, etc.) . They have done this before. The media will represent hundreds of millions of dollars free advertising / propaganda support for Obama. This is a huge hurdle that we need to overcome through our financial support.

Please give the final Republican candidate who emerges your financial support....$10, $20, $50, $100....up to the legal limit, whatever you can afford...BUT GIVE. This financial support will definitely be needed to overcome the Obama onslaught.

Step 2 to is to financially support the final Republican candidate for President.

3) Make sure you vote and encourage others to vote in the Presidential election in 2012. Your vote is sacred and necessary...it is critical. Also vote for those who will be supportive of the candidate in the US Congress, he or she will need all the support that they can get. Vote very carefully at the state and local levels of government so that we elect people who will be supportive to bring back America to what it should and can be. It is pretty obvious that we are now headed in the wrong direction. We need a groundswell, starting at the local level, to turn this situation around.

Step 3 is to VOTE!

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These are 3 simple Steps where we all can be activists toward placing in office those who represent the American people, and the future of America. This is a very, very critical time. To not act at this time would be tragic. To act is easy. All you have to do is keep informed and financially support, to the extent that you can, those who can bring America back to what it should be....and VOTE.

I urge you to consider this. If we all work together I am confident that we can succeed.

Thank you.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Banks Should Never Fail

Banks should NEVER fail. Think about it. What do banks do? First they take other people's money and offer them an interest rate on their money. Then they turn around and loan the money out at higher rate. From this they always turn a profit. A second thing that they do is invest some of the money they hold. Good bank management takes some of the money and places it into safe and somewhat conservative investments. Naturally this would have some ups and downs, but never lead to the failure of the bank. This rational scenario is the way banks SHOULD operate...at high level of certainty of being healthy and profitable. At one time in history banks were almost always safe. Many years ago local banks, in particular, were about as safe and trustworthy as could be.

On home mortgages banks used a simple, basic formula based upon the buyer's income and the affordability in buying a home. This greatly minimized failures and foreclosures. Then along came the federal government. It was decided that banks should be forced into lending money to those who and couldn't afford a home, but should be given home mortgages anyway. It sounded nice to offer homes to the less fortunate but as it turned out it hurt everybody and the result was very predictable. It hurt those who purchased a home under these conditions by placing them in over their heads and placed tremendous financial stress on them leading to home foreclosure. (By the way there is nothing wrong with living in an apartment that you CAN afford, in fact many people had joyous memories of doing just that.) It hurt the bank since now the rational and profitable scenario given above was broken and the banks were in financial trouble, with many failing. It hurt America by a large number of failing banks that pushed the nation into an economic crisis. Finally, it hurt every single American since guess who ultimately pays for it all through "bail outs"?

The federal government was responsible for the housing crisis in America and for most of our nation's financial crisis. Don't ever think differently, the facts speak for themselves.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Manufacturing Critical to the U. S. Economy and National Security

About 15 - 20 years ago we began to hear the words "The United States is becoming a service economy". These words came from some of the business schools in America and from some of the "elite" economists in our country. If you repeat something often enough people begin to accept it and believe it. Yet if you look around you see "things". These things are computers, tools, appliances, cars, furniture, and a whole bunch of items for businesses and homes. These things ALL have to be manufactured and that will never change. The greatest core strength of America since the Industrial Revolution has been our ability to manufacture. We are blessed with an excellent labor force; an abundance of raw materials; domestic energy sources that can be tapped into; readily available transportation through rail, roads and waterways; and a huge market right here in America.

It was a betrayal of America to lull us into believing that we should just accept becoming a "service economy".

It runs much deeper. A nation that resigns itself to becoming just a consumer nation is always a loser. They become a dependent nation and economically weaker, and that is exactly what is happening to America today. Yet a nation that manufactures can always be a winner in control of their own destiny. When you give up manufacturing you give up much, much more. The need for research, development, and technology become much less over time. Manufacturing know-how and manufacturing process technology slip away since there is no need. This state of dependency becomes a threat to national security...economically, as well as for vital parts and items to run our country, and for national defense. A dependent nation becomes weak, vulnerable, and economically devastated.

Many of the reasons for manufacturing overseas, or giving up manufacturing, are based upon false economics, and a failure to look at ALL factors. It is too simplistic and incomplete just to look at "cheaper labor" as being the answer. Such things as the capital investment and start up costs required; raw material and finished product market proximity; shipping, freight and tariffs for raw materials and finished products; money exchange issues; the cost of poor quality (just ask some of the toy companies and building product companies, as just two examples); and finally productivity.

You can pay an employee $1 per hour and only produce 100 units in a day vs. paying $20 per hour and producing 10,000 units in a day. Which is cheaper? The most important measure of all when it comes to labor cost, however, is the cost of good quality units produced per hour. This should be the real measure.

In many companies there seems to be an obsession with labor costs. Yet many manufacturing companies are material intensive. This means the cost of raw materials in the manufacturing process is the overriding cost factor. In at least two companies studied the labor cost, out of the total cost of running the company (this includes executive salaries, advertising, etc.), was only in the range of 5 to 7% of the total cost of running the company. If you were an executive intent on reducing cost and improving the bottom line where would you look? At the 5-7% or the 93 - 95% ? Surprising few look thoroughly at this, there is an obsession with labor costs and major decisions by the company are made on that basis.

Corporate executives need to re-think where to manufacture, and there needs to be incentives to manufacture in the U.S. A final point...the American people would flock to buy goods or items that are Made in America! They tire and are actually angered over seeing everything that they purchase Made in China or elsewhere.

No single factor would improve the economy of the United Sates more than bringing manufacturing back to America. This would also lead to millions of jobs, strengthening us as a nation and lead to a more secure national defense.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

How to Create Jobs in America

Short Term

The very first thing that must be done is establish both consumer and business confidence. Consumers are holding back from buying. Businesses are holding back from investing and hiring due to the uncertainties and financial threats to their business.

Consumers are faced with not only uncertainty, but all kinds of increased costs for basic needs, including taxes, hidden taxes and fees, energy costs and threats of dramatic increases in energy costs, healthcare cost increases, and more. Real inflation to the consumer for necessaries is running from 10 to 15%, or higher.

Both businesses and consumers would like to see fiscal responsibility at the state and federal levels of government. States and the federal government are bordering on bankruptcy and what this causes is a pull for money to pay for it from consumers in one form or another, and it is occurring.

Regulatory agencies are all over businesses. This causes both the threat of increased costs, and well as real cost increases. In addition it causes uncertainty. The federal government needs to back off significantly in this area and work with business in a cooperative, non threatening, way in regard to real issues (not purely ideologically driven) with the environment, energy, etc. Most businesses want to operate in a responsible manner.

The continual threat of increased taxes on business must stop. Both the state and federal government can gain revenue from volume, i.e., increased business growth. This needs to be understood and also what it does is give business the confidence that they can invest and hire.

Sending the message alone would have an immediate impact on business and consumer confidence.

Long Term

The United States should immediately embark on an energy independent plan. This should include responsibly tapping into the vast amounts of oil deposits domestically and off-shore. We should continue with rational conservation. Clean coal, safe nuclear energy, natural gas, hydroelectric power, solar energy, and wind turbine energy can also be pursued so that we are not totally dependent upon oil. We have in our grasp the ability to be 100% energy independent, all that it needs is a committed plan and action. This will lead to the creation of millions of jobs. Further, the standard of living for all Americans would increase, not decrease as with the current path. The cost for energy would surely be less.

We should bring manufacturing back to America. Manufacturing is the core strength of our country with an excellent labor force; an abundance of raw materials; domestic energy sources; readily available transportation through rail, roads and waterways; and a huge market right here in America...tariff free, as well as the ability to ship overseas. Many of the reasons for manufacturing overseas, or giving up manufacturing, are based upon false economics, and a failure to look at ALL factors. Consumers would flock to buy "Made in America". Corporate executives need to re-think where to manufacture, and there needs to be incentives to manufacture in the U.S. This would also lead to millions of jobs in the United States.

There needs to be a "skills gap" study to determine what skills or professions are needed in America. From this determination we should then offer incentives to fill the skills needed through job training and colleges. Lack of needed skills drives up costs, results in lack of service, and results in a lower standard of living. Skills that match job needs increases employment.

Just announcing the above short and long term plans would cause an immediate impact on consumer and business confidence. Immediate job creation would begin and as we followed through with the plans millions of jobs would be created. All of this would also be a huge boon to the economy and would put America back on track.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

For One Brief Moment, September 11, 2001


For One Brief Moment

For one brief moment on September 11, 2001 time seemed to stand still. People sought family members and recognized the importance of family. Parents gathered their children with a self-protecting love. Helping and caring about other people occurred. Acts of charity were plentiful and strong. There was an assessment of life and what is really important. News media, and many others, invoked the name of God. Churches, and places of worship were full. People unashamedly prayed. There was a strong feeling of patriotism, a pride in being American, and a desire to show the flag. Crime, and even the thought of it, was absent. We were all in support of our President. Congress and all elected leadership worked together for the good of our country instead of partisan politics. Nations across the world expressed concern, sadness, and unity with the United States.

For one brief moment……


Thursday, August 25, 2011

God / Sports, Tim Tebow & Sports Media

The sports media has always been very uncomfortable with athletes in college or the pros expressing their faith in God. When interviewing they quickly and uncomfortably turn to another subject. After many games it is customary for athletes from both teams to gather, hold hands, and say a prayer together. The TV cameras, almost without exception, turn away from the prayer gathering and ignore it. Instead of extolling what a great positive that it is in sports, the media chooses to ignore it. One sports writer, in a national publication, went so far as to write a full column suggesting that there is NO PLACE for God in sports.

In college Tim Tebow was one such athlete who frequently expressed his faith in God. Since he was one of many, at first it was ignored as was the case with all the others. As he became more prominent, however, the sports media became increasingly uncomfortable. The tipping point was the 2010 Super Bowl ad that he made with his mother where in a very low key manner it was suggested that they were glad that his mother had him vs. an abortion. It was an innocuous ad, not attacking any position on the subject. The critics, however, came out of the woodwork with widespread criticism. This ad was also the turning point in the "perception" of Tim Tebow's athletic abilities, especially heading to the pros. Prior to the ad there was wide acclaim about him being a great leader, a great athlete and quarterback, and a winner. Suddenly this changed almost overnight. Many of the sports media then began claiming that he didn't have it for the pros, he didn't throw right, couldn't take a snap from center...almost anything they could conjure up. Tim Tebow was no longer great. They hang on any little thing that they can criticize him for.

Recently Boomer Esiason was WAY out of line in condemning Tebow's abilities even going to the extent of criticizing the Denver Broncos for even drafting him. Other sports media have done the same. These are many of the same people who said that Kevin Durant would never make it in the NBA...too frail, too this, and too that. Yet I haven't seen or heard one of them say they were wrong since he has proved himself to be one of the best players in pro basketball,

There is one person who holds more weight than all the sports media put together. Hall of Famer, Joe Montana. He respects Tebow's athletic abilities and has stated that he feels he can become an excellent NFL quarterback.

The sports media is uncomfortable with God. So be it. If I were an NFL owner or coach Tim Tebow would be my quarterback. He is a great leader, a great quarterback, and a winner. I would form my team around him and his abilities all the way to a Super Bowl Championship. I vote for Joe Montana's opinion, not Boomer Esiason's. Tim Tebow will be a great NFL quarterback if given the opportunity.


Saturday, August 6, 2011

Great Danger of Too Much Power of Government and Globalism

The Great Danger of Concentrating Power With the Federal Government
...and the Danger of Globalism


The formation of the United States was both genius and clear and is what made us the greatest nation in history. Powers not expressly listed in the Constitution, were given to the States, and with the people. The Founders decided this was the safer route that would leave authority closer to the people.


The design of the government under the Constitution was purposeful. The Founding Fathers knew that governments can oppress people. They knew it from their own experience, and they knew it from their extensive scrutiny of governmental forms throughout history. They knew that concentrated power was more than dangerous, it was life threatening. They knew that only by limiting government powers could liberty survive.

It is no secret, in fact, it is common sense, that powers concentrated at the state level, then in turn at the local level, keep the powers closer to the people, thus ensuring real representative democracy and freedoms. With powers closer to the people it not only makes the nation stronger, but ensures the longevity of the country.

In recent years, those in Washington do not feel restrained by the Constitution and they have gathered up nearly all political power at the federal level. This is extremely dangerous to our great democracy. Step by step there has been a steady path toward concentrating power at the top. This includes power over individuals, business, states, local municipalities, education and all levels of education, the judicial at every level, healthcare, banking and financial institutions, energy sources, transportation, the environment, food sources, homes and land, employment, access to information, the Internet, communications, waterways, and more. Through this process of control individual and institutional freedoms have eroded greatly and it is becoming worse. It seems as if the federal government is attempting to control everything! Herein lies the danger. States that attempt to enact legislation at their level in order to right wrongs or protect themselves are often faced with federal lawsuits. This is how bad it has become...just the opposite of what our Founders intended.

In order for the federal government to exercise this degree of control over everything imaginable, they need money, and lots of it. They accomplish this through over burdensome taxes and fees over individuals, business, and institutions. As is almost always the case the money collected is not used wisely, it is squandered, it invites corruption, political favor and payback, and all kinds of unscrupulous money related actions. The tendency then becomes for the federal government to extract even more money in taxes and other means since the rate of spending and waste is much greater than the money collected. The result is that the nation gets driven deeper and deeper into debt with an eventual bankruptcy and economic collapse. In this state the nation is subject to the worst forms of peril, helpless to do anything.

This is where the United States is headed today unless immediate and dramatic corrective action is taken.

Yet it gets even worse since there is a very strong movement toward globalism, that includes global governance and moving toward a global economy. Think about this...If it is bad for all power within a nation to be centered at the federal government level...think about how bad it will be if all power is centered at the global, international level. The people, individuals, will be far, far removed from any voice in government. Individual freedoms will be scarce. People within America (and all nations) will be subject to international laws, international courts, and international monetary conditions. Those that rule will be an elite group with unlimited power, wealth, and control. The Founders of America would be horrified of this. We ALL should be.

Somewhat secret G-20 meetings, with representatives from 20 of the world's major economies, are being held regularly in order to plot the course toward world government. We have all heard about the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank. The theory is that the global economy is supreme, and if one nation's economy fails, they can then be bailed out. It is also required that the richer nations contribute more, a distribution of wealth scheme at the highest level. What this does, in effect, is devoid a country from all responsibility since if they fail, the global monetary fund forces other nations to pay. The United States is signed on to this and has contributed billions of dollars of taxpayer money.

In the former world, if a country failed financially it would be responsible to do what is necessary to get back on its' own feet. Naturally, other countries, especially the United States, would help, but this would all be voluntary help. The key is that the rest of the world wouldn't come crashing down due to the failure of one nation. Yet we have heard recently how "the global economy is all tied together". It is advertised as a good thing, but in reality it is not. We have heard how if the economy of Greece fails, or Italy fails, then this will bring down the whole global economy. How can this be a good thing?! Does this mean that financially healthy nations have to, by the edict of the IMF or World Bank, be brought down too...that the whole global economy must fail too? This is a very dangerous thing for the United States, and for the world.

Aside from the monetary aspects, the whole movement toward globalism is a dangerous one. The individual nations lose power and control over their own destiny. Worse, the people, individuals, lose power and control over government and give up their individual freedoms to the power of the global state. This is the worst possible outcome, but the sure path toward where it is headed. What must emerge in globalism is a ruling elite. They are responsible to no one. They have the ultimate power, wealth, and control. The people are taken care of at some lower form of existence. Many people, especially Americans, will not like this and attempt to rise up. The global elite rulers will not allow this and will use force, if necessary, to keep people in line in order to preserve their power. History has taught us how this works...in ancient Rome, in Nazi Germany, and in Communist Russia. But this will be different, it is not a single nation, but the whole world under singular dictatorial control. It will be very, very difficult, if not impossible, to turn things back. This is why we must act now through the democratic political process to turn this back through our voice and vote, and through the selection of leaders who represent the Constitution, representative democracy, the free market system, and fiscal responsibility. Those who represent the United States and the sovereignty of our nation.



We must come to realization that there are those behind the scenes that WANT America to fail. It is well recognized by the globalists that America stands in the way of a global government. The United States has been too big, too strong, too wealthy, too democratic, too patriotic, and too free to allow this to happen. This has all been changing rapidly in recent times at an ever increasing rate. There are those who are pushing for us to fail and manipulating things for it to happen. It seems like every day the American people wake up to something even more outrageous that is happening to our country. Things that violate the principles on what our country was founded on, that violate our Constitution, that violate fiscal responsibility, and defy all commons sense since they obviously hurt America and hurt the American people.


Europe has already been positioned through the European Union and ideological socialism in order to be ruled by a global government. Through the ongoing weakening of the United States the same plan is underway in the Americas, toward some sort of "American Union". When you have the big pieces in place it is a lot easier to put them all together into a single global entity vs. individual small nations. It is well underway.

What do we have to do in the United States in order to prevent all this from happening? The first step is awareness....recognition that it is indeed happening to our country. Again, through our voice and vote, and by using the democratic process, we MUST act now to select and elect representatives who firmly believe in America as a sovereign independent country. Representatives who believe in our Constitution, who believe in democracy and the free market system, who believe in fiscal responsibility, who are not afraid to do what is necessary and right in order to preserve our country. We need to put in office, at all levels of government, and positions of responsibility, those who really believe in America and the principles that our country was founded on.



It should be always kept in mind that the further the power and decision center is away from the people, the worse will be the plight of the people as far as freedom and the ability to affect one's life. The ideal, as our Founders intended, is for the power to rest at the local and state level. At the federal level freedoms and democracy become greatly eroded. At the global level it becomes near enslavement, if not actual enslavement. This is a grave warning.

It is up to WE THE PEOPLE, to US, to save America.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Time to End Abortion in America

Nothing will ever change the fact that is very wrong to take the life of a helpless, innocent child through abortion. They like to try to convince you that it is just a lump of flesh, call it a "fetus", but it is a human life. Many girls, at a very early age, are continually bombarded with their "right" to make decisions about their own body, and that right certainly exists. They make their sometimes emotional decisions based upon this right. There are two things that are hidden, however, in the process of learning about abortion. The first, and the most important, is that a life does actually exist within a mother's womb during pregnancy. The second is that the process of taking this life is a brutal and inhumane one, especially with partial birth abortion. Even very intelligent women are snookered by the propaganda associated with their "right" and the trick words that are used to purposely dehumanize the life that exists by calling it a lump of flesh, or a "fetus".


When girls or women allow themselves to be open and really learn about the existence of life during pregnancy, and what the procedure of abortion actually does to this life, they are horrified. Yet it is difficult to overcome the years of indoctrination and propaganda concerning abortion that young girls are exposed to. More recently ultrasound has helped show an expectant mother the real truth concerning the existence of life and this has become the enemy of those who push abortion. They would rather hide the truth, rather than exposing the deception that exists concerning abortion.


Medical science for MANY years has shown how the life in a mother's womb develops, how it can sense and feel things, feel pain, gain eyesight, reason and think, and much more. That is life! Books on this at one time were readily available and many expectant mother's read about and experienced the joy with each stage of pregnancy. Prenatal books describing the stages of life during pregnancy are not so readily available today in a purposeful attempt to hide the truth.


Proponents of abortion will cite the extreme cases of hardship that will result if a woman is not allowed to have an abortion. The facts are, however, that about 98% of all abortions are those of convenience, a way of getting rid of the child since it would be inconvenient or "burdensome" and absolving all responsibility. There are others who want to use abortion as a means of population control with the thinking that if there are too many of "them", there will be less for US. Think about that for a moment...taking life so WE have more. The UN has ongoing programs with the intent of using abortion as a means of population control.


Abortion is by far the worst holocaust in human history with over 50 million lives of babies taken in the United States alone since Roe vs. Wade. There is no "right" to take the life of another human being. Not only are we taking life through abortion at home, America is now exporting death by offering funding and abortion assistance outside the U.S. Millions of taxpayer's dollars are being used to fund abortion.


Mother Teresa said; "We cannot fight credibly against other social and moral evils, including poverty and violence, while we tolerate mass killing by abortion." It is hard to understand how people can sleep at night. Why are so many silent? It is time to end abortion in America.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Questions of Treason

It is well documented that for his presidential campaign, and for his legal defense fund when impeached, that Bill Clinton received illegal contributions from Communist China. Bill Clinton and Al Gore violated campaign finance laws by using access to the president and the office of the presidency as a fund raising device. But particularly disturbing is the fact that they took illegal contributions from China. Obviously, when back door illegal contributions are taken there is something expected in return.

It is on record that Communist China attempted to influence elections in 1996 by funneling money into the Clinton campaign. When all of this came to light it was conveniently diverted from Clinton, but 22 people were eventually convicted of fraud for funneling Chinese / Asian funds into the United States. Further, and very significantly, there was a donation of $450,000 given to Clinton's legal defense fund delivered in 2 envelopes by a Yah Lin Trie, a person with China connections. Trie was indicted by a federal grand jury with allegations that he engaged in a "straw donor" scheme, collecting money from foreign sources not eligible to contribute to U.S. political campaigns and then distributing the money. He ended up pleading guilty. Still further, John Huang, another Clinton cronie, pled guilty to funneling Chinese funds less than a week after Trie! As with many other highly questionable things about the Clinton Presidency, he was able to wiggle out of any responsibility for these clear violations of the law, and worse, attempts to gain influence at the highest level of the U. S. government.

But the obligation of payback to China was clearly there.

The first payback to the Chinese by Clinton came with the transfer of sensitive technical missile technology, rocketry data, that clearly assisted China's ballistic missile program. It offered breakthrough information. Also, President Bill Clinton personally approved the transfer to China of advanced space technology that can be used for nuclear combat. (Declassified documents prove this.) When the Justice Department began investigating, a scapegoat, a sacrificial lamb, was needed. Many may recall how Los Alamos Lab scientist, Asian / American Dr. Wen Ho Lee, was accused of espionage and became the headline (instead of Bill Clinton). Lee was shackled and placed in solitary confinement. Only after the whole thing blew over did the federal government recant their charges against Lee....he was COMPLETELY innocent, but he served the cause.

The result of all this is that China received critical information benefiting their ballistic missile program, as well as advanced space technology information.

The second payback should be clearly visible to everyone. Whenever you buy ANYTHING in America there is about a 90% chance that it was made in China. You can thank Bill Clinton for this. Before he left office he granted China something that they desperately wanted. ...Most Favored Nations (MFN) trade status with the U.S. Most Favored Nations status offers China low tariffs and treats them as a full trading "partner". You can clearly see the results of this today in America. The words "trading partner" should be used loosely since the United States greatest deficit in trading with any country is with China, we are running at a trade deficit rate with them at about $256 billion per year. Again we can thank Bill Clinton.

Of course the Chinese have clearly shown their appreciation to Bill Clinton, rewarding him highly in backhanded ways. In 2008 Bill Clinton earned more than $4.7 million in speaking fees in countries around the world...including, of course, China.

Recently, without much fanfare or public debate, President Obama stunningly canceled the U.S. Space program. Both parties of Congress were basically silent on this. This did not receive the deserved media coverage but the result of this action will be devastating to our national security, our national defense, our world leadership in space, our economy, and our leadership in technology. As we recently watched China blast off a rocket into space (thanks to Clinton), and by letting Russia take the lead for the U.S., we have alarmingly given up a critical world leadership position in vital areas to essentially two Communist countries that may still be considered as enemies of America.

U.S. Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in a news release, "We can’t allow the United States to lose its dominance in space"....and went on further commenting on how it reinvigorates our space industrial base. And with a final warning "It is an issue of national security." Ruppersberger said technology perfected through space shuttle missions is used on other satellites that keep us safe, including tracking terrorists and assisting troops in war zones monitor developments all around them. In addition, he said, the U.S. utilizes satellites for such modern-day essentials as GPS in cars and making a cell phone call. Just think about satellites, telecommunication, and the multitude of things in the United States that are dependent on "space". Giving up our leadership to China and Russia?

The George C. Marshall Institute, Science for Better Public Policy, stated in reference to our space program, "Only a few times in human history has a technical advance had such a profound impact on national security and the balance of power. The advent of sea power was one such millennial development; air power was another; space power is a third." Yet we are giving this up to China and Russia? Still further, it has been well documented on how our space program has been a huge boom to our economy through technological advances and the resulting products. Millions of jobs were created by our space program to say nothing about our leadership position in technology.

Giving Communist China missile and space technology. Giving Communist China Most Favored Nation trade status. Giving Communist China and Russia clear paths toward space leadership. These acts and the devastating results of these acts on the United States should raise questions of treason.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

News Corp "Hacking" vs. Media High Crimes

Far, far, more grievous than "hacking" are the unethical practices, the criminal complicity, and even treasonous acts of much of the major media. These include, but not limited to, such news organizations as CBS, NBC, ABC, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Denver Post, Chicago Tribune, Time Magazine, Newsweek, BBC News, Guardian, and so many more.



Many were involved in what might be considered "high crimes" due to their complicity and cover-ups involving such things as the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King; Whitewater; the deaths of Vince Foster and Ron Brown; Watergate; the treasonous Clinton China-Gate where vital U.S. missile and space technology as well as Most Favored Nation trade status were given to Communist China in return for millions of dollars; false polling and exit polling in attempting to influence national elections; widespread voter fraud; billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars used for political payback and corruption...outright thievery; illegal activity to discredit un-favored political candidates; the robbing of the Social Security Fund; the socialization of Europe and the ongoing attempts to drive the United States into the depths of socialism; purposely biased, and even fabricated stories, widespread propaganda attempting to influence the populace; treasonous critical information given to our enemies resulting in deaths of our soldiers during war time; misleading people into the depths of economic collapse of our country...and so much more. Unethical, criminally complicit, if not outright criminal. Acts severely detrimental to our country, altering the course of history, and a betrayal to future generations.



The "witch-hunt" involving Rupert Murdoch's News Corp is nothing more than just that over charges of "hacking". Compare that to the unattended high crimes above to place it into perspective. The reason is obvious. News Corp presents an alternate view to the major media who for many years have had a monopoly on information that has been given to the public. People have responded very favorably to this since their instincts have told them that there is indeed another side of the story, a previously untold side. Thus the News Corp outlets such as Fox News with extremely high ratings are having a definite effect on people's opinions by attempting to present not just conservative, but "fair and balanced" news. This lack of control has alarmed much of the media and they are in a state of panic. Their answer to this is the witch-hunt with widespread publicity given through most major media sources in an all out attempt to discredit News Corp.