Massachusetts Budget Out of Control

Massachusetts is is now $130 billion in debt. Also, 29% of the state's revenue is dependent upon the federal government, and the federal government is $17.6 trillion in debt. For Fiscal Year 2014 Governor Deval Patrick submitted a budget, during a depressed economy, for $34.8 billion, a 7% increase that included a $1.9 billion tax hike and a $400 million withdrawal from the state's (mysterious) reserve fund. Under Patrick, between FY's 2009-2013 expenditures increased $11.7 billion, a 23.6% increase while the cumulative rate of inflation during this same period increased only 9.1%. This clearly shows the pattern outspending both income and inflation as our massive state debt increases.


The Massachusetts FY 2015 Budget (beginning July 1) passed by "lawmakers" is $36.5 billion, a $1.7 billion, or 4.9% increase. The current rate of inflation, 12 months ending May 2014 is 2.1%, so our state budget increase is 2.3 times the rate of inflation.


The State House News Service has reported that the FY 2015 Budget exceeds the estimated 4.9 % revenue growth and also counts on casino licensing fees of $73 million and slot parlor revenues that may or may not happen, essentially betting on the come. This seems to be a practice all too common under the Patrick administration and our one party legislature. Claimed revenues that are in the budget are not solid and this invariably leads to dipping into the mysterious "reserve" or "rainy day" funds. When you are $130 billion in debt it has already "rained".


What is desperately needed in Massachusetts is fiscal responsibility by our elected representatives. Currently there appears to be NO responsibility. It is only a matter of time before the entire Massachusetts economy will come crashing down. Then all the citizens of the state, irrespective of party, will be severely and negatively affected. I urge people to look at the facts and not at just the political rhetoric. It all comes down to basic arithmetic, and it will affect everybody.


In 2012 a State Integrity Investigation graded the Massachusetts budget process. They gave Mass an "F" for Public Access of Information; an "F" for the State Budget Process; and a "D+" for Legislative Accountability. The citizens of Massachusetts deserve better than that. They also deserve a media / press that doesn't just report what they are told, but does true journalism in asking the tough questions and digging out the facts....a true practice of the First Amendment.

How to Bring About Dramatic Improvement of the Veterans Administration

If I were the US Secretary of Veteran Affairs This is what I would do to turn things completely around and the timetable to do so.

1) Working with others, while still maintaining strong leadership, I would immediately put in place a new Mission Statement for the VA. This Mission Statement would be placed in a prominent location in every VA facility in the nation. The Mission Statement would contain a reference to our very purpose of existence....to serve all veterans to the highest possible level of promptness, quality, care, customer service, and follow through. Our human concern for their care will be paramount. I would make it clear that all employees of the VA understood and followed this Mission Statement as a condition of employment.

2) I would ask the President and the US Congress to pass immediate legislation that would allow me and my designates the ability to fire any employee of the VA that did not perform and live up to the highest standards of veteran care.

3) I would assemble a meeting of all regional heads of the VA and let them know specifically what our new standards are and what will now be expected. At this meeting I would let them know that any manipulation of records or performance would result in immediate dismissal and possible criminal prosecution.

4) I would do away with all internally generated measures of performance and put in place ONE PRIME MEASURE. That measure would be based upon input from veterans, themselves. Veterans will be asked on an ongoing basis to rate the performance of the VA on the following:

a) Promptness of gaining an appointment and ability to receive responses...customer service.

b) Quality of their medical care and their processing as a patient.

c) Follow through on them as patients.

d) How they were treated, the human care and dignity aspect exhibited by the VA.

A rating system would then be summarized for each location and region and kept constantly visible. The veterans will determine performance, not some bureaucratically generated internal rating system. Where the veterans ratings of a location are low these will be investigated. Not all problems may be due to individual performance but due to other factors that need change and support. Yet individual performance will also be judged based upon veterans input and corrective action taken.

5) New standards of expectation will be put in place. These standards will be partially derived from ongoing studies of results from the private and public sectors concerning medical care, particularly from some of the best performing hospitals and clinics in the nation. Also such things as the number of patients typically seen in a day for given specialties as compared to the VA.

6) People, including good VA employees, thrive where there are clear rules and high standards and when they succeed they are rewarded. To begin with the pay of all VA employees will be slightly better than the average for their job description or specialty in the public or private sectors. Based upon veteran ratings, they will be subject to bonuses. Performance, pay raises, and promotions will also be tied to veteran ratings.

7) High performing locations and individuals, based upon veteran ratings, will be celebrated and recognized.

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At the end of 6 months you will see initial progress.

At the end of 1 year you will see notable progress.

At the end of 2 years you will see substantial progress.

At the end of 3 years the VA clinics, hospitals, and patient care will be recognized as being the best in the world.

All of this CAN be accomplished. This is a guarantee.

Filthy Fish on Your Plate?

The United States is bound by two oceans and a gulf, and has many thousands of lakes, rivers and streams, yet we import 91% of our seafood. Why? Worse only about 1 percent is inspected and only 0.1% is tested for banned drug residues according to the US Government Accountability Office. Filthy fish products may contain dirt, insect fragments, and rodent hair according to News21 (journalism program at Arizona State University).

Even though the United States is richly bound and blessed with waterways and fish sources we are ranked 13th in the world and have a $10.4 billion trade deficit...and it is growing. Again and again where is our leadership on this? We should be consuming 91% of are OWN fish, not importing it. And, we should make darn sure it is well inspected, clean, and healthy.

The next time you sit down and have some seafood think about what you are eating! There is a high probability that you will be eating un-inspected seafood from China. Are you comfortable with that? 

More will be written later about ALL of our food sources and why we import with such rich farmlands in America.

Obamacare Database Being Gathered on You

I have experienced this myself and several people I know have also experienced it. When you go for your doctor's visits you may be asked a series of very personal questions that have nothing to do with the reason for your appointment. They can be very invasive types of questions and frankly are none of the government's business! Why are they asking these questions? The reason is obvious, they are building a database of very personal information on you. In the future, the information that you supplied them can be used against you when Obamacare comes into full swing. Panels (and there WILL BE panels) when they review and recommend (or not recommend) treatment for you will use this information, that you supplied, to make their decision. Note that this decision will be made by non medical professionals, Washington bureaucrats, and not solely between you and your doctor.

This comes right back to the original premise of the chief architect of Obamacare, Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel.

He has written extensively about who should get medical care, who should decide, and whose life is worth saving. He believes that expensive medical care should be reserved only for those "most productive to society". Emanuel espouses a school of thought that redefines a physicians duty toward working toward the "greater good of society" (as defined by him), rather than focusing on a patient's needs. In effect, it is de facto rationing of healthcare. Many physicians find this view dangerous. His approach to healthcare has a similarity to that of Dr. Josef Mengele, the Angel of Death of Nazi Germany, where certain groups of people are considered expendable for the greater good.

In addition to the fact that Obamacare was forced through Congress by back room threats and bribes, not openly on C-Span as promised; that we were outright lied to about keeping our current healthcare and doctors; that it was going to be less expensive; etc. etc......It is also fundamentally based upon evil premises of denying certain groups of people life saving healthcare.

Welcome to the Doctor's Office -- Your Papers Please

Betsy McCaughey: Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel Wants Health-Care Rationing - WSJ.com

Tea Party Purposely Mischaracterized

The Tea Party movement was the most pure grass roots level movement in America over the last 50 years. It was not led by behind the scenes organizations or powerful individuals and money, but was a spontaneous outcry by patriotic Americans deeply concerned about the current direction of our country. Due to the potential influence on our country this scared the hell out of those not only on the left and Democrats; but many in the Republican establishment, as well, since it could diminish their power and control. The mainstream media also did not like the movement one bit, partly because of their biased ideology control over the minds of Americans, and also because they were being exposed by the Tea Party for what they are. For all these reasons, no matter what, they had to be stopped.

Yet what was this Tea Party movement really? First, it was not an organization so much in the beginning as an amorphous movement of everyday citizens united by common concerns (Thus, grass roots). And what were their concerns? They were upset by out of control federal spending and the impact of this upon our country, their children, and future generations. They were upset with more and more federal government control over their lives. They were upset with the diminishing role of world leadership of the United States, and a weakening of our military strength as a deterrent to attacks on our country and potential war. They were upset about the increasing circumvention of our Constitution, if not outright violations of it. They were upset with the media's very biased approach to news, essentially approaching a path of selective propaganda, as well as failing to report relevant news based upon their agenda. Although they possessed compassion for people entering this country, they were upset with the federally allowed total anarchy at our borders. Although they supported helping people in REAL need, they were upset by our government increasingly pushing people into a state of dependency, allowing people to "game the system" and driving us to becoming a welfare country. They were upset with the leadership in Washington, both major parties, lack of true leadership on what is best for America, the corruption, the enormous waste of taxpayer money, and the lies and deception given to the people. They were deeply concerned about America!

During the early stages I attended several Tea Party Rallies as a photojournalist, not as a member, I wanted to see and record what they were all about. I saw and talked to a young Hispanic woman in Springfield, MA. She was very concerned about the huge debt and out of control spending, the impact of this upon her young family. I saw people in Hartford, CT not with professionally prepared signs that are so typically provided by the backing organization; but homemade ones in their own handwriting. I saw a young woman with two small children and she told me she was a Democrat who was concerned about the direction of our country. I saw many seniors, as well as mid aged people, who were concerned. Without exception they were all very friendly and polite to talk to, yet they expressed their deep concern. I found them to be just everyday people, next door neighbor types. At one rally I thought that it was noteworthy that the main speaker was a black man. I also saw first hand an agitator who appeared to be purposely sent in to cause a disruption and have it recorded, but the people there were too smart for that, they handled it beautifully stating that he had a right to free speech. Also noteworthy, not like so many rallies and protests, when they left the site they cleaned up every single piece of paper or garbage, and left it spotless like they had never been there. The Tea Parties were actually a model for holding rallies for expressing concern over an issue.

Yet for those in power, they had to be stopped. The first step was taken by the media. They either failed to cover them at all, or sparsely covered them on a back page. This is an ongoing media trick on how to handle relevant news, yet not part of their agenda. It happens all the time and just proved one of the Tea Party concerns. When they did cover a rally a step used by the media, in a large crowd of a few thousand people, they would try to try to find an outlier, a person dressed funny or who says something outrageous. Show him in the news and make him appear like he is representative of the Tea Party movement. (They are all like that.) You can always find one or a few. Then start to introduce words like "radical". Of course they were also called "racists". That is another trick, when you have no retort, call them racists...that always works and get attention away from the subject. . Say it over and over and over. After awhile, uniformed people will begin to believe it. They are radicals! They are racists. Television news people pick up on this quickly. Next the politicians picked up rapidly on this. House Leader, Nancy Pelosi, with a tear in her eye talked about the "balance between freedom and hatred"...how the (Tea Party) "rhetoric is frightening". Many other politicians expressed their concern over this "radical" and racists movement...including some of the Republican establishment who felt that their power and influence might be usurped. It is very sad since here we have a group of people who care deeply about their country labeled as extremists. Mission accomplished, for the most part, the very patriotic Tea Party movement was purposely mischaracterized.

I would strongly advise people, including the news media, and politicians to find out the truth. The Tea Party movement still exists and it's membership is not only those who sign up to join, or give a contribution...it is composed of millions of silent people who feel strongly in concern about the current direction of our country.

The Truth and Facts Concerning Benghazi

This is what is known about Benghazi:

* The US Consulate in Benghazi, Libya, in a dangerous and volatile region of the world was left under protected. There were forewarnings of attacks on other consulates, including that of the US. The date of September 11, 2012 dictated that strong protection should have been in place due to the significance of that date. This placed the lives of our US Ambassador, Christopher Stevens, and other US personnel in jeopardy.

* When the attack on the Consulate took place on September 11 it was known at that time that it was a planned and orchestrated terrorist act by networks linked to Al-Qaeda. A US Embassy or Consulate is considered sovereign US territory. This was, in effect, an attack against the United States of America. It was extremely serious.

* The Commander in Chief, President Obama, makes the decision in such situations, with consultation with members his Cabinet and White House Staff, but the President is ultimately responsible for the decision. He chose for US Military forces to "stand down" in the region. As a result our Ambassador, Christopher Stevens, information officer Sean Smith, and former Navy Seals, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty were murdered by the terrorist action against the sovereign US territory. This failure of action violated all principles of not leaving behind, and protecting US personnel, particularly while in the service of our government.

* Many retired high ranking military officers where appalled that those in service of our government were, indeed, left behind to die. Also many of them who had tactical military experience and responsibility stated that over the number of hours of the terrorist act that there was time to scramble US Military aircraft and personnel with a high probability of saving at least 2 American lives.

* The President and his staff not only failed to act, but for purely political purposes so as not to contradict his Democratic Convention speech where he stated "Al-Qaeda is on the path of defeat...." concocted a story that the attack in Benghazi was a spontaneous uprising due to a You Tube video when they knew this not to be true. They then sent UN Ambassador Susan Rice to 5 major television talk shows in order to deliver this false message to the American people. President Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, and many others in the administration repeated this lie over and over. They even told this to the families of the dead US personnel when their bodies / caskets were returned to the United States. The President of the United States and other key administration people lied to the American people so as to protect his chances for reelection. Period.

* Information has now come out that not only was the attack NOT due to a You Tube video, but was clearly a planned and organized terrorist action with networks linked to Al-Qaeda. As this information came out President Obama, his administration, and others then began, uncontested by most media sources, to change their story right before us with no consequences whatsoever.

* In a blasphemous insult to the First Amendment to the Constitution concerning "freedom of the press" and to the profession of journalism, media sources such as the NY Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Hartford Courant, USA Today, and many others who had full access to the truth, chose not to report it. They even went so far to help cover up the truth and divert attention away for it. They put their blind support of President Obama over their country, over America. A very sad time for our nation.

* Democratic leadership in the Congress such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and important committee members such as Congressman Elijah Cummings, and others placed their loyalty to the Democratic Party over their loyalty to America, and have been complicit with the lies and cover up concerning Benghazi told the American people. A very sad time for our nation.

* "Benghazi" is a hundred times worse than Watergate, the 1970's scandal that caused President Nixon to resign. This was a Nixon White House driven break in of the Democratic offices at the Watergate Hotel in Washington. Looking at the truth and facts Benghazi is much, much worse involving incompetence, malfeasance, unnecessary loss of human life by people in the service of the government, a failure to respond to an attack against US sovereign territory, and finally lies and deceit to the American people for purely political purposes in order to gain reelection to the highest office in our country, the Presidency. Much worse.

It is time that the media told the truth. For America!

US / World Threat Must Be Confronted

Fundamental problem solving dictates that first you have to define the problem. Yet the United States, and the world, for reasons of political correctness, and fear, refuse to identify what is perhaps the biggest threat confronting us. Yet most rational and clear thinking people unmistakably know what it is, but many allow themselves to be lulled asleep by governments and the media who chose to ignore and fail to identify this major problem.

Across the world there are approximately 1.6 billion Muslims. If you begin with the premise that most Muslims are good people, not all Muslims are bad, and the percentage of those that are is relatively low; this is this where you have to be careful. There have been a number of polls taken across the world and it varies by country and by region, but summing it up about 10% of Muslims are very radical Islamists. That is no small number, it is about 160 million radicals. Further polling of Muslims across the world has revealed about 20 to 25%, although not themselves involved with radicalism, support and agree with it. This is 320 to 400 million Muslims! Now this is a serious problem. To put it into perspective this is more than the entire population of the United States currently at 318 million.

Why are they a threat to the United States and to the world? They have openly stated that their goal is to wipe Israel off the face of the map, and to destroy the United States. This even comes from the leaders of some Islamic nations. Along the way they want to destroy Europe and the West. In fact they offer the only alternatives of survival as converting to Islam, becoming a slave of it, or die. This is their interpretation of the Koran! In addition to their desire to destroy entire countries they have expressed their desire to kill all Jews and Christians, in particular, and there are thousands of examples where they have already done this. In the Sudan they have raped and mutilated Christian women and left them laying in the fields as examples. They have bombed Christian churches and killed Christians in the Mid East. They shot and killed a Catholic priest while saying Mass in the Philippines. Many of the abducted girls in Nigeria are Christians where they are attempting to sell them as slaves or outright murder them. These attacks on Christians are increasing. 

Thousands of missiles and rockets have been launched against civilian populations in Israel. Suicide bombers have blown up buses in Israel, killed people at shopping malls and restaurants...and it goes on and on. Iran is racing toward a nuclear bomb. The Mid East is on fire with new very radical Islamic leadership.

The radical Islamists even attack other Muslims who do not agree with their extremism. Their crimes represent horrific hate. They kill little children, women, and men indiscriminately. They have thrown acid into the faces of school children; shot in the head a young Pakistani girl who wants nothing more than to receive an education and to have women receive an education. They have beheaded journalists, raped a US journalist; their hate knows no boundaries. They murdered and dragged through the streets our US Ambassador in Libya. They wish to subjugate women and openly violate ALL rights of women and their freedoms under their dictatorial control. They will even go so far as to kill their own daughters or sisters through "honor killings" if they step out of line. In 2013, in Pakistan alone, there were 869 "honor killings" of women by family members.  What could be more barbaric? 

All these atrocities are happening on a daily basis right under our noses. There is a major and ongoing holocaust taking place world wide. Yet the US government refuses to recognize and identify this major threat to our country and the world. They call them "individual criminal actions" rather that what they are...terrorism by radical Islamic groups. The media follows suit and when an act of terrorism does happen they steer the news away from the fact that the perpetrators are radical Muslims; we seem to find out much after the fact. Other governments across the world follow suit and keep their heads in the sand on what is really going on. The UN does nothing and says nothing. So the major threat continues unabated.

Many take the approach..."as long as it doesn't affect me". But it DOES affect you! When you go through an airport you are put through an extensive process of security check. Even though you may think the risk is small, there is the fear of you or one of your loved ones being killed or severely injured by a terrorist act. Your individual freedoms are violated by phone / cell, E-mail, vehicle black boxes, security cameras, and even drones today. Not only are your freedoms constricted and violated you pay for all this through taxes and fees. Trillions upon trillions of dollars are spent in the United States and across the world in order to prevent terrorist acts...yet terrorism isn't even identified as such. We seem to be playing a game.

Those continuing trillions upon trillions of dollars could be spent for feeding the world's starving population, giving shelter, a place to live, to the homeless. That money could be used to help the poor, improve and ease the ability to provide education, particularly in third world countries. The money could be used for medical research in finding a cure for cancer, heart disease, aids, and so many other diseases. It could be used in using rational approaches toward cleaning up the environment. It could be used to provide better standards of living for all people across the world. The money could and SHOULD be used to help human kind!

It is time for the United States and for all nations across the world to first identify and then confront radical Islamic terrorism and the great threat that it is to all the world. It must be confronted and stopped. By a unified effort it can be done. The solution to this world wide problem will allow money and efforts to be used for the betterment of all human kind. It is time to RECOGNIE and confront a major and serious world wide problem.