Where are today’s heroes? Are there any? Who might they be?
In this month of July we honor the independence of our nation for the contributions of our Founding Fathers, without whom there would be no heroes of these United States of America. Let us all remember to give thanks to the vast number of heroes of the Revolutionary War for we are a free country unto ourselves that goes beyond the 4th of July.
John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress, commissioned George Washington as Commander in Chief of the United States Colonies, the only president to be voted unanimously to lead the country. A true hero by all measures in American history.
Paul Revere one April 18, 1775, accompanied by William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott, who rode through the night from Boston to Lexington with a two-lantern signal advising John Hancock and Samuel Adams the approach of British soldiers and, by his own account, cried out as he entered towns along the 16-mile route, “The regulars are coming out!”
The Congressional Medal of Honor is bestowed upon military personnel who distinguish themselves for “…conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against an enemy…”
President Lincoln established the Navy Medal of Honor Dec 21, 1861. The Army Medal of Honor followed on July 12, 1862. The first recipient of the medal was presented to Pvt. Jacob Parrot and five other members of Andrew’s Raiders in 1863 for disrupting the advance of the Confederate Army by rail from Atlanta to Chattanooga. A total of nineteen medals were issued for this act of gallantry, although their capture resulted in the failure of the intended result.
There are three medals each for the Army, the Air Force and the Navy/Marines/Coast guard. The self-descriptive word “Valor” appears on both the medals issued by the Army and Air Force.
Per the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, there have been a total of 3447 Medal of Honor recipients. Eighty-seven were African Americans. The first and only female to be awarded for her contributions is Dr. Mary Walker for her medical services during the Civil War. Her medal was revoked in 1917 due to a revision by Congress to award those involved in “actual combat with the enemy”. Refusing to return it, she wore it until her death. President Carter reinstated the medal in 1977.
The most recent recipient is Pvt. 1st Class Ross A. McGinnis on June 5, 2008, for having sacrificed his life by throwing himself on a live grenade, thus saving the lives of at least four other soldiers in combat in Iraq.
Five-star Generals include General Douglas MacArthur and Dwight Eisenhower; four-star Generals include Ulysses S. Grant and Alexander Grift. Other Generals include James Doolittle and Theodore Roosevelt Jr.
Who are our top-ranked military heroes today? None have yet, nor may they ever, receive the Medal of Honor.
Four-star General David Patraeus was affectively criticized in the fall of 2007 when over 20 Generals, including John Batiste, Gregory Newbold, Paul D. Eaton, John Riggs, Wesley Clark and Wayne Downing, spoke out about his handling of the conflict in Iraq.
Patraeus was inappropriately likened to a traitor in 2007 for a progress report supportive of success for the troop surge in Iraq under the guidance of the Bush Administration. In October 2008, four-star General Patraeus was chosen Commander of the U.S. Central Command, overseeing military operations throughout the Middle East region, including hotspots Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Patraeus’ record may become a campaign issue if rumors materialize that he will seek the Republican nomination in the 2012 presidential election. By any definition of the term, will he be remembered as a hero?
Although not of military rank, the heroic actions of the civilians on that day of infamy, September 11, 2001, deserve more recognition than an on-site memorial at Ground Zero. If nothing else, Congressional Gold Medals would be appropriate.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian award as an appreciation for distinguished achievements of achievement to individuals, institutions or events. To date, there are 149 acknowledged contributors including George Washington, the Dalai Lama, Rosa Parks, John Wayne, Bob Hope, Irving Berlin, Robert Frost, Winston Churchill, the American Red Cross, the entire 650 U.S. 1980 Summer Olympic Teams (650), Pope John Paul II, Charles Shultz, Thomas Edison, and on and on…
I ponder again, Who are today’s heroes?
Neither President Obama or Democrats nor Republicans. Ben Barnanke, Chairman of the Federal Reserve? Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner? Or his predecessor Henry Paulson? The defense of their actions in Congressional hearings supports the impression they are heroes unto themselves.
It appears that Goldman Sachs, with a never before seen quarterly profit of $3.4B and JP Morgan with $2.7B in earnings, may be perceived as champions of Wall Street, which is also having a heck of a lot of hay days in recent weeks. Investor profiteers and those with propped-up bonuses are the ones who are able to increase the overall savings rate among Americans. It ain’t you or me. There golden eggs are again leaving the rest of us with cracked shells and empty nest eggs.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Conservative? Liberal? Who, Me?
Reader comments on this column have labeled me ‘conservative’ and ‘liberal’ but the most accurate claim might be ‘stupid’. One overly sensitive reader vowed never to waste another morning reading this dribble, disgruntled with my audacity to kindly request that the forwarding of multiple emails be discontinued because they were too frequent and the conservative views too easily predictable.
And yet, I’m never dissuaded from submitting another piece of literary babble on whatever topic flashes before my farsighted pie-eyed vision.
Let me assure you, not all of the submitted columns find their way to Hernando Today’s Voices page. There are times my ranting is justifiably trashed for they contain senseless, inconsiderate and/or a less than knowledgeable bunch of words. On a really bad day, nasty is a fitting description.
So, I wish to reinforce reader conclusions that I am indeed a flim-flam apolitical bumpkin.
Let me get Barney Frank out of the way. Did someone say, “Please!”? During the bizarre exchange between Bill O’Reilly and Sen. Frank, when the Senator was picking his fingernails, O’Reilly’s fears that universal healthcare reform would lead the nation into bankruptcy were not unexpectedly simply dismissed by Frank.
During a previous confrontation between the two, Frank denied the fact that prior to the collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac he had said the two home mortgage lending giants were “fundamentally sound” “not in danger of going under” and future investment prospects were “… going forward – very good”. This was prefaced with Frankism hindsight that Fannie and Freddie were “not the best investment these days – going back”. Today, potential cost to taxpayers is $400B in bailout funds.
If guilty of anything, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is justly criticized for refusing $700B in federal stimulus funds unless they could have been used to pay down state debt. When denied, the same fate followed his request to pay down $577M in school bonds. Subsequently, a unanimous state Supreme Court ruling forced him to accept the funds, saving over 7,000 teaching positions, 700 prison guard jobs and stopping the early release of 3,400 prisoners. Upset, he did a disappearing act.
Sanford’s habit of trysting the nights away to satisfy carnal cravings is a personal matter. Besides, since when is there a separation of politics and morals? Ask Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Mark Foley, Gary Hart, Eliot Spitzer and Strom Thurmond. Think too of Larry Craig’s leg. They sing in harmony, “If you can’t be with the one you love, Love the one you’re with.”
A not-so-interesting topic on the Internet are discussions that claim President Obama is the ‘anti-Christ’ with a key reference to the Chicago Republican campaign headquarters Zip Code 60606. Based on the prophesies of Nostradamus, previous interpretations have made the same claim of George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Rush Lambaugh, Vladmir Putin and Bin Laden. It’s all piddle prattle.
I gave up on psychic predictions forty years ago when, as foreseen in the ‘30s by the Sleeping Prophet Edgar Cayce, the Great California Earthquake failed to happen in 1969 just as Atlantis didn’t pop up out of the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the Bimini Islands.
Should I now be concerned that the world as we know will end on 12-21-2012? I’ll have to ignore the predictably horrible movie ‘2012’ to be released on Friday the 13th in November.
NASA has actually stated there will be a magnetic polar shift in 2012 – of the sun, as happened in 2001. Not so scary when you read the official NASA website. Of course, you can’t trust the government. We never landed on the moon!
Of entertainers, Michael Jackson’s tragic end was unfortunate but with all the TV coverage, I hadn’t watched a single program that honored the troubled child-man until I happened upon the mainly staged memorial tribute when 11-year-old Paris Jackson gave the sweetest tear-filled farewell to her daddy.
I’ll listen to Michael’s music throughout my life but I haven’t been enticed to follow the prescribed tendency of others to overkill playing his music catalogue. The tunes of the King of Pop will endure time as surely as those of Elvis, The King.
Speaking of music, I had a conversation with a young lady at Discover Card handling a balance transfer to a lower than 14% interest rate to cover a $5K charge to replace the engine in my 14-year old truck. After listening to music-on-hold, I forewarned her that I was about to fill her ear with my personal choice of music – a clip of the techno-dance song ‘And She Said’ by Lucas Prata. She laughed with appreciation and said, “I needed that!” She wasn’t aware there’s a good 30-year difference in our ages. She didn’t know it, but it was the Rae way to make it a nicer day.
And yet, I’m never dissuaded from submitting another piece of literary babble on whatever topic flashes before my farsighted pie-eyed vision.
Let me assure you, not all of the submitted columns find their way to Hernando Today’s Voices page. There are times my ranting is justifiably trashed for they contain senseless, inconsiderate and/or a less than knowledgeable bunch of words. On a really bad day, nasty is a fitting description.
So, I wish to reinforce reader conclusions that I am indeed a flim-flam apolitical bumpkin.
Let me get Barney Frank out of the way. Did someone say, “Please!”? During the bizarre exchange between Bill O’Reilly and Sen. Frank, when the Senator was picking his fingernails, O’Reilly’s fears that universal healthcare reform would lead the nation into bankruptcy were not unexpectedly simply dismissed by Frank.
During a previous confrontation between the two, Frank denied the fact that prior to the collapse of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac he had said the two home mortgage lending giants were “fundamentally sound” “not in danger of going under” and future investment prospects were “… going forward – very good”. This was prefaced with Frankism hindsight that Fannie and Freddie were “not the best investment these days – going back”. Today, potential cost to taxpayers is $400B in bailout funds.
If guilty of anything, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford is justly criticized for refusing $700B in federal stimulus funds unless they could have been used to pay down state debt. When denied, the same fate followed his request to pay down $577M in school bonds. Subsequently, a unanimous state Supreme Court ruling forced him to accept the funds, saving over 7,000 teaching positions, 700 prison guard jobs and stopping the early release of 3,400 prisoners. Upset, he did a disappearing act.
Sanford’s habit of trysting the nights away to satisfy carnal cravings is a personal matter. Besides, since when is there a separation of politics and morals? Ask Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Mark Foley, Gary Hart, Eliot Spitzer and Strom Thurmond. Think too of Larry Craig’s leg. They sing in harmony, “If you can’t be with the one you love, Love the one you’re with.”
A not-so-interesting topic on the Internet are discussions that claim President Obama is the ‘anti-Christ’ with a key reference to the Chicago Republican campaign headquarters Zip Code 60606. Based on the prophesies of Nostradamus, previous interpretations have made the same claim of George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Rush Lambaugh, Vladmir Putin and Bin Laden. It’s all piddle prattle.
I gave up on psychic predictions forty years ago when, as foreseen in the ‘30s by the Sleeping Prophet Edgar Cayce, the Great California Earthquake failed to happen in 1969 just as Atlantis didn’t pop up out of the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the Bimini Islands.
Should I now be concerned that the world as we know will end on 12-21-2012? I’ll have to ignore the predictably horrible movie ‘2012’ to be released on Friday the 13th in November.
NASA has actually stated there will be a magnetic polar shift in 2012 – of the sun, as happened in 2001. Not so scary when you read the official NASA website. Of course, you can’t trust the government. We never landed on the moon!
Of entertainers, Michael Jackson’s tragic end was unfortunate but with all the TV coverage, I hadn’t watched a single program that honored the troubled child-man until I happened upon the mainly staged memorial tribute when 11-year-old Paris Jackson gave the sweetest tear-filled farewell to her daddy.
I’ll listen to Michael’s music throughout my life but I haven’t been enticed to follow the prescribed tendency of others to overkill playing his music catalogue. The tunes of the King of Pop will endure time as surely as those of Elvis, The King.
Speaking of music, I had a conversation with a young lady at Discover Card handling a balance transfer to a lower than 14% interest rate to cover a $5K charge to replace the engine in my 14-year old truck. After listening to music-on-hold, I forewarned her that I was about to fill her ear with my personal choice of music – a clip of the techno-dance song ‘And She Said’ by Lucas Prata. She laughed with appreciation and said, “I needed that!” She wasn’t aware there’s a good 30-year difference in our ages. She didn’t know it, but it was the Rae way to make it a nicer day.
Budgeting I.O.U.s
In a recent edition of The Economist there appeared a picture of a woman holding a protest sign that read ‘A Fair and Balanced Budget Does Not Mean Cut, Cut, Cut’. If placed in front of a mirror, the word ‘austerity’ would have reflected a more realistic view of the dire state of affairs of the worsening economy.
From the presumable designer sunglasses, dangling gold earrings and a golden necklace hanging pretty around the neck, the woman appeared to be a well to do resident who doesn’t seem to grasp the frightening circumstances that face California’s economy, necessitating years of spending cuts.
With her mouth wide open as if ready for dental work, in all likelihood she was spewing hot air with a possible risk that her complexion may turn to as deep a purple hew as that of the blouse she was wearing. In protest, she could continue her stance all day long without taking a breath but it wouldn’t do any good.
California, with an astounding $26B budget deficit that grows by about $25M every day, has had to resort to issuing IOUs, an undisciplined action that will continue through September. This includes moneys due for services provided by private sector businesses plus income tax refunds due to the state’s residents.
This is no way to run a business, but there’s no business like government business and it’s no business I know of that can run up such astronomical sums of debt and continue to function – which it can’t. Just like the foolish consumer who looks in his or her wallet and sees a shortage of cash, the state has for too long resorted to increase its debt on a credit line beyond its incoming revenues.
Entrepreneurs need cash to keep their businesses afloat at a time when their very existence is already in jeopardy from the deeply troubled recession. Right on down the line, from owner to employee, these providers of services to the state government rely on a steady income to cover loan agreements, make mortgage payments, satisfy credit card debt and sustain the basic necessities for their families – namely food and electricity.
A marginal increase in bankruptcies, foreclosures and credit card default rates can be expected between now and when the IOUs are satisfied. California is out on a shaky limb but when the bow breaks Washington has said it won’t be there to catch the fall.
This past week, large banking institutions, lead by Bank of America, announced they would no longer cash the vouchers by the end of July, if not immediately. The primary reason for the policy shift is the fear that Sacramento may yet default on the payment of the registered warrants when they’re set to mature in October.
To limit the fraud potential to recipients of the IOUs needing immediate cash from third-party speculators, including offers over the Internet, the SEC stepped in to require traders be registered dealers.
California residents demonstrated how they’re fed up when they voted down measures that would have increased or extended tax hikes approved in February for another two years beyond 2011. Of the six measures on the ballot, only one passed – preventing lawmakers and public officials from receiving pay raises when the state is running a deficit.
In addition to an earlier announcement that 2000 workers would lose their jobs, another 4600 may join the ranks of the unemployed in September. Budget negotiations may also see a 5% pay cut to many state workers and furloughs of up to three days per month, which would result in a 14% loss of wages.
California is the prime example of the worsening economy and the piling up of debt, but nearly every state in the union is faced with similar budget deficits. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states currently have an accumulative $121B of debt, next year about $166B and a forecast of up to $180B in 2011.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities identifies 48 states facing budget shortfalls in 2010. Montana and North Dakota are the exceptions. Twenty-five states have increased taxes; another twelve may follow suit. No! No! No! This is exactly what deepened the severity of the Great Depression!
California debt will represent about 58% of its 2010 budget. Of the 50 states, at 22.6% of its budget, Florida isn’t expected to fair as badly as ten other states. Reduced funds for healthcare, local governments and a wide variety of services provided by states will require years of unfairly balanced budgets. And that means cut, cut, cut.
May Floridians not be California bound.
From the presumable designer sunglasses, dangling gold earrings and a golden necklace hanging pretty around the neck, the woman appeared to be a well to do resident who doesn’t seem to grasp the frightening circumstances that face California’s economy, necessitating years of spending cuts.
With her mouth wide open as if ready for dental work, in all likelihood she was spewing hot air with a possible risk that her complexion may turn to as deep a purple hew as that of the blouse she was wearing. In protest, she could continue her stance all day long without taking a breath but it wouldn’t do any good.
California, with an astounding $26B budget deficit that grows by about $25M every day, has had to resort to issuing IOUs, an undisciplined action that will continue through September. This includes moneys due for services provided by private sector businesses plus income tax refunds due to the state’s residents.
This is no way to run a business, but there’s no business like government business and it’s no business I know of that can run up such astronomical sums of debt and continue to function – which it can’t. Just like the foolish consumer who looks in his or her wallet and sees a shortage of cash, the state has for too long resorted to increase its debt on a credit line beyond its incoming revenues.
Entrepreneurs need cash to keep their businesses afloat at a time when their very existence is already in jeopardy from the deeply troubled recession. Right on down the line, from owner to employee, these providers of services to the state government rely on a steady income to cover loan agreements, make mortgage payments, satisfy credit card debt and sustain the basic necessities for their families – namely food and electricity.
A marginal increase in bankruptcies, foreclosures and credit card default rates can be expected between now and when the IOUs are satisfied. California is out on a shaky limb but when the bow breaks Washington has said it won’t be there to catch the fall.
This past week, large banking institutions, lead by Bank of America, announced they would no longer cash the vouchers by the end of July, if not immediately. The primary reason for the policy shift is the fear that Sacramento may yet default on the payment of the registered warrants when they’re set to mature in October.
To limit the fraud potential to recipients of the IOUs needing immediate cash from third-party speculators, including offers over the Internet, the SEC stepped in to require traders be registered dealers.
California residents demonstrated how they’re fed up when they voted down measures that would have increased or extended tax hikes approved in February for another two years beyond 2011. Of the six measures on the ballot, only one passed – preventing lawmakers and public officials from receiving pay raises when the state is running a deficit.
In addition to an earlier announcement that 2000 workers would lose their jobs, another 4600 may join the ranks of the unemployed in September. Budget negotiations may also see a 5% pay cut to many state workers and furloughs of up to three days per month, which would result in a 14% loss of wages.
California is the prime example of the worsening economy and the piling up of debt, but nearly every state in the union is faced with similar budget deficits. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, states currently have an accumulative $121B of debt, next year about $166B and a forecast of up to $180B in 2011.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities identifies 48 states facing budget shortfalls in 2010. Montana and North Dakota are the exceptions. Twenty-five states have increased taxes; another twelve may follow suit. No! No! No! This is exactly what deepened the severity of the Great Depression!
California debt will represent about 58% of its 2010 budget. Of the 50 states, at 22.6% of its budget, Florida isn’t expected to fair as badly as ten other states. Reduced funds for healthcare, local governments and a wide variety of services provided by states will require years of unfairly balanced budgets. And that means cut, cut, cut.
May Floridians not be California bound.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Sarah Palin, the GOP & Me
Less than a year ago, August 29, Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain chose her as his vice-presidential running mate. You know to whom I refer.
Unfortunate or not, but most likely viewed as inconsequential to many Americans, Sarah Louise Palin made the controversial decision to abandon her elected post as Governor of Alaska. Considering her apparent interest in seeking higher political office at some point in the future, it’s a rather shocking action that mistakenly warrants extensive dialogue, news analysis and talk show blithering.
Actually, the short but oh-so-swell exchange between Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and Karl Rove was priceless in that, although they disagreed on the political ramifications of Palin’s resignation, Bill was very respectful and “unargumentative” of their conflicting views. If a Democrat had spoken Rove’s words, the verbal exchange would have been entirely different – you know, the attitude and over-speak tantrum that Bill reverts to with premeditated animosity.
While O’Reilly appeared optimistic that Palin’s course of action might eventually lead to a Palin bid to head the Republican ticket for president in 2012, Rove was decidedly at odds of her having the support of influential party leaders.
Palin’s actions, or rather inactions, leading up to the annual fundraising event for the National Republican Congressional and Senatorial Committees in Washington in early June did much damage to her standing among other Republicans.
Back in March, she was given an invitation to headline the political event but, gosh darn it, she couldn’t give a timely RSVP and, wouldn’t ya know it, by the time she decided she had the time to attend, the alternate keynote speaker, Newt Gingrich, who’s another 2012 presidential hopeful, wouldn’t have it. As a matter of fact when she made a less than grand entrance on the night of the event, in fear she’d upstage the older dude, she and hubby Todd were seen but Sarah wasn’t heard.
Well, that’s quite enough about Sarah. I wish! I foresee me flickin’ the remote fast and furious for the next couple of years searching for anything – commercials, cartoons, game shows, even reality shows – anything to limit the length and frequency of times of seeing that face pop up before my eyes with those senseless words crackling in my ears.
I do admit that I’m rather relieved that doctors were able to remedy the winkin’ and blinkin’ malady she experienced during campaign season last year. It may have been dry eye syndrome but I suspect it was a case of Marcus Gunn Phenomenon, whereby the movement of the upper eyelid moves in a rapid rising motion each time the jaw moves, which is not to be confused as an act of coordination. Anyway, medical wonders never cease to amaze me.
Actually, Hockey Mom Palin needs a time-out and take a seat in the penalty box for being at odds with mainstream conservatism. Her no “politics as usual” doesn’t ring true. For one thing, she and other Republicans continue to question, disregard and spew green house gases over scientific conclusions that global warming and climate change are in fact of grave concern for the health of the planet, thus and an immediate and progressive danger to all living things on land and in the sea and air.
The ignorance that belies the findings of the Mineral Management Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is belligerent of views of countries around the world. An American Association for the Advancement of Science study released in 2005 reported that carbon dioxide levels were 27% higher than at any time in the past 650,000 years.
The findings were taken from the analysis of air bubbles trapped in an East Antarctica area monitored by the European Project for Ice Coring (EPIC).
I sincerely commend Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for softening the company’s stance on climate change and carbon emissions. But his January announcement in support of a carbon tax to be a fairer option than the cap-and-trade system came only after a shareholder revolt at last year’s annual meeting, led by none other than the Rockefeller family.
Republicans as a whole must change their tone on nearly every political front. They have no leader. Certainly not Palin. The retreads of Gingrich and Dean, and the inflexible views of Cheney don’t cut it either. Ron Paul would have my solid support if he were given the opportunity to head the Republican Presidential ticket in 2012 but the Party isn’t likely to stand behind his Libertarian views. Besides, by Election Day he’ll be 77 years old, 5 years beyond McCain’s 72 years in 2008.
Charlie Crist, the lamest rubber ducky governor in the nation, isn’t any better than the rest with his recent cop-outs to the people of Florida as self-interest groups saddled him up for a ride to Washington in next year’s Senatorial race. He had to make up with Party leaders for supporting Obama’s stimulus package. The same goes for Colin Powell for abandoning McCain in last year’s Presidential election.
In the economic climate of everybody porking handouts from Obama’s stimulus dollars, regional political interests won’t enhance any particular politician. Especially Palin whom, after family and friends, will continue to put Alaska’s interests above all else.
Party leaders must have scripted Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s GOP response to Obama’s State of the Union Address in February. I say this because just two days prior, on Meet the Press, Jindal’s interview with David Gregory was very impressive with assured, coherent statements, a veritable smooth talker and quite a 360-degree turnaround from his delivery two days later.
Disastrous. That’s the Republican Party right now. I pray, but not with religious fury, that the Party can realign themselves with the American people. It’s important not only to me but for the whole of the United States.
Unfortunate or not, but most likely viewed as inconsequential to many Americans, Sarah Louise Palin made the controversial decision to abandon her elected post as Governor of Alaska. Considering her apparent interest in seeking higher political office at some point in the future, it’s a rather shocking action that mistakenly warrants extensive dialogue, news analysis and talk show blithering.
Actually, the short but oh-so-swell exchange between Fox News host Bill O’Reilly and Karl Rove was priceless in that, although they disagreed on the political ramifications of Palin’s resignation, Bill was very respectful and “unargumentative” of their conflicting views. If a Democrat had spoken Rove’s words, the verbal exchange would have been entirely different – you know, the attitude and over-speak tantrum that Bill reverts to with premeditated animosity.
While O’Reilly appeared optimistic that Palin’s course of action might eventually lead to a Palin bid to head the Republican ticket for president in 2012, Rove was decidedly at odds of her having the support of influential party leaders.
Palin’s actions, or rather inactions, leading up to the annual fundraising event for the National Republican Congressional and Senatorial Committees in Washington in early June did much damage to her standing among other Republicans.
Back in March, she was given an invitation to headline the political event but, gosh darn it, she couldn’t give a timely RSVP and, wouldn’t ya know it, by the time she decided she had the time to attend, the alternate keynote speaker, Newt Gingrich, who’s another 2012 presidential hopeful, wouldn’t have it. As a matter of fact when she made a less than grand entrance on the night of the event, in fear she’d upstage the older dude, she and hubby Todd were seen but Sarah wasn’t heard.
Well, that’s quite enough about Sarah. I wish! I foresee me flickin’ the remote fast and furious for the next couple of years searching for anything – commercials, cartoons, game shows, even reality shows – anything to limit the length and frequency of times of seeing that face pop up before my eyes with those senseless words crackling in my ears.
I do admit that I’m rather relieved that doctors were able to remedy the winkin’ and blinkin’ malady she experienced during campaign season last year. It may have been dry eye syndrome but I suspect it was a case of Marcus Gunn Phenomenon, whereby the movement of the upper eyelid moves in a rapid rising motion each time the jaw moves, which is not to be confused as an act of coordination. Anyway, medical wonders never cease to amaze me.
Actually, Hockey Mom Palin needs a time-out and take a seat in the penalty box for being at odds with mainstream conservatism. Her no “politics as usual” doesn’t ring true. For one thing, she and other Republicans continue to question, disregard and spew green house gases over scientific conclusions that global warming and climate change are in fact of grave concern for the health of the planet, thus and an immediate and progressive danger to all living things on land and in the sea and air.
The ignorance that belies the findings of the Mineral Management Service, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is belligerent of views of countries around the world. An American Association for the Advancement of Science study released in 2005 reported that carbon dioxide levels were 27% higher than at any time in the past 650,000 years.
The findings were taken from the analysis of air bubbles trapped in an East Antarctica area monitored by the European Project for Ice Coring (EPIC).
I sincerely commend Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson for softening the company’s stance on climate change and carbon emissions. But his January announcement in support of a carbon tax to be a fairer option than the cap-and-trade system came only after a shareholder revolt at last year’s annual meeting, led by none other than the Rockefeller family.
Republicans as a whole must change their tone on nearly every political front. They have no leader. Certainly not Palin. The retreads of Gingrich and Dean, and the inflexible views of Cheney don’t cut it either. Ron Paul would have my solid support if he were given the opportunity to head the Republican Presidential ticket in 2012 but the Party isn’t likely to stand behind his Libertarian views. Besides, by Election Day he’ll be 77 years old, 5 years beyond McCain’s 72 years in 2008.
Charlie Crist, the lamest rubber ducky governor in the nation, isn’t any better than the rest with his recent cop-outs to the people of Florida as self-interest groups saddled him up for a ride to Washington in next year’s Senatorial race. He had to make up with Party leaders for supporting Obama’s stimulus package. The same goes for Colin Powell for abandoning McCain in last year’s Presidential election.
In the economic climate of everybody porking handouts from Obama’s stimulus dollars, regional political interests won’t enhance any particular politician. Especially Palin whom, after family and friends, will continue to put Alaska’s interests above all else.
Party leaders must have scripted Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal’s GOP response to Obama’s State of the Union Address in February. I say this because just two days prior, on Meet the Press, Jindal’s interview with David Gregory was very impressive with assured, coherent statements, a veritable smooth talker and quite a 360-degree turnaround from his delivery two days later.
Disastrous. That’s the Republican Party right now. I pray, but not with religious fury, that the Party can realign themselves with the American people. It’s important not only to me but for the whole of the United States.
Obama, Sally and Stimulus Attitudes
Sally Rae has an attitude. In but the fewest of words there was a flare of disgust and a tinge of anger about the overindulgence homeowners had exercised during the sublime years of sub-prime loans and second-mortgage frenzies.
Although typically calm, cool and in control, Sally’s uncomely attitude was spurred by the Making Homes Affordable Plan. She grumbled for a moment but, quicker than Obama can swat a fly on the back of his hand, her demeanor returned to the sweet, charming little lady she is.
The Home Affordable Refinance Program targets 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to lower their monthly payments. The Home Affordable Modification Program aims to keep an additional 3 to 4 million Americans from facing foreclosure.
The $75B allocated to the programs intends to lower interests rates to as low as 2% and/or give loan extensions up to 40 years – anything to bring the payment below 31% of pretax income, thus stemming the flow of bankruptcies and short-sales – but only applicable to owner-occupied, primary residences, not speculators or house-flippers, for up to $729,750 in unpaid balances. How sweet it is! For some, not all.
Sally has a problem with her tax dollars being given to irresponsible people who, with just a bit of common sense should have known the bottom-line monthly payment shown on the closing papers was unaffordable with their given incomes. An oversized house is nice to live in but when there’s a family to consider you not only have to plan for retirement but also consider college costs for the kids and, accept it or not, emergencies.
You can only blame lending practices so far because, in the end, it’s the person who signed the loan papers who are just as much at fault. Irresponsible indeed, dear sister, but I can top your angst with lenders who were too eager to give unsecured loans in the form of credit cards with little oversight of the individual’s ability of repayment.
A recent article in The NY Times related a cardholder who had been contacted by a lender that offered a 20% write-off on a $5,486 balance to which he declined but whose counter-offer of 50% was immediately accepted. An elderly gentleman who owed $112,00 on four credit cards, through a third-party settlement company that charged him a 12% fee, was able to reduce the balance to 35% of the outstanding balance, thus whittling down to 47% the outstanding balances.
In neither case was there a hint of them having to relinquish any of their assets. They had their cake and ate it too, and the rest of us are left with the crap that came out in the end – paying for the tasty morsels of their consumerism in the form of credit card companies jacking up interest rates much too quickly and all to often, even to those who continue to make on-time payments.
Obama’s Congress passed the Credit Card Act in May but the rule on 45 days advance notice of major changes won’t take affect until September and the majority of the new rules don’t apply until February next year. Consumers are of little concern compared to the demands of the corps or corporations.
The actions people took to enhance their immediate lifestyles were shameful. Whether by means of uncontrolled credit card usage or double-mortgage abuse, they set aside common sense for the good-time feeling of keeping up with other consumers who went on swanky spending sprees.
They beset themselves on the most difficult of futures with purchases of joyful trinkets like big screen TVs and monstrous vehicles that lose value the moment they’re taken off the showroom floor. Phantasmagoric vacations too, I’m sure.
There’s also the woman whose arrogance came out in full bloom when she bragged about the home equity loan she took, knowing the additional payment couldn’t be met. She pocketed the money. Despicably American.
The ones deserving of compassion, which doesn’t help them one bit, are those who became indebted due to health costs. I could make a wager and be fairly certain that, minus their conditions, their homes would still be secure investments, their stomachs less empty, their electric bills paid and they’d in be in much better off than the ones who pillaged their financial security for earthly pleasures.
Perhaps against Sally’s recommendation but in reader interest, particularly those faced with foreclosure, I suggest you visit www.financialsecurity.gov for information and www.makinghomeaffordable.gov to start the process that could ease your weary mind from the fears of losing your home. The entitlement was given by Obama. As far as other debt, call the number on the back of your credit card(s) and cry, “Fools!” You and them but the rest of us most of all.
Although typically calm, cool and in control, Sally’s uncomely attitude was spurred by the Making Homes Affordable Plan. She grumbled for a moment but, quicker than Obama can swat a fly on the back of his hand, her demeanor returned to the sweet, charming little lady she is.
The Home Affordable Refinance Program targets 4 to 5 million homeowners with loans owned or guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac to lower their monthly payments. The Home Affordable Modification Program aims to keep an additional 3 to 4 million Americans from facing foreclosure.
The $75B allocated to the programs intends to lower interests rates to as low as 2% and/or give loan extensions up to 40 years – anything to bring the payment below 31% of pretax income, thus stemming the flow of bankruptcies and short-sales – but only applicable to owner-occupied, primary residences, not speculators or house-flippers, for up to $729,750 in unpaid balances. How sweet it is! For some, not all.
Sally has a problem with her tax dollars being given to irresponsible people who, with just a bit of common sense should have known the bottom-line monthly payment shown on the closing papers was unaffordable with their given incomes. An oversized house is nice to live in but when there’s a family to consider you not only have to plan for retirement but also consider college costs for the kids and, accept it or not, emergencies.
You can only blame lending practices so far because, in the end, it’s the person who signed the loan papers who are just as much at fault. Irresponsible indeed, dear sister, but I can top your angst with lenders who were too eager to give unsecured loans in the form of credit cards with little oversight of the individual’s ability of repayment.
A recent article in The NY Times related a cardholder who had been contacted by a lender that offered a 20% write-off on a $5,486 balance to which he declined but whose counter-offer of 50% was immediately accepted. An elderly gentleman who owed $112,00 on four credit cards, through a third-party settlement company that charged him a 12% fee, was able to reduce the balance to 35% of the outstanding balance, thus whittling down to 47% the outstanding balances.
In neither case was there a hint of them having to relinquish any of their assets. They had their cake and ate it too, and the rest of us are left with the crap that came out in the end – paying for the tasty morsels of their consumerism in the form of credit card companies jacking up interest rates much too quickly and all to often, even to those who continue to make on-time payments.
Obama’s Congress passed the Credit Card Act in May but the rule on 45 days advance notice of major changes won’t take affect until September and the majority of the new rules don’t apply until February next year. Consumers are of little concern compared to the demands of the corps or corporations.
The actions people took to enhance their immediate lifestyles were shameful. Whether by means of uncontrolled credit card usage or double-mortgage abuse, they set aside common sense for the good-time feeling of keeping up with other consumers who went on swanky spending sprees.
They beset themselves on the most difficult of futures with purchases of joyful trinkets like big screen TVs and monstrous vehicles that lose value the moment they’re taken off the showroom floor. Phantasmagoric vacations too, I’m sure.
There’s also the woman whose arrogance came out in full bloom when she bragged about the home equity loan she took, knowing the additional payment couldn’t be met. She pocketed the money. Despicably American.
The ones deserving of compassion, which doesn’t help them one bit, are those who became indebted due to health costs. I could make a wager and be fairly certain that, minus their conditions, their homes would still be secure investments, their stomachs less empty, their electric bills paid and they’d in be in much better off than the ones who pillaged their financial security for earthly pleasures.
Perhaps against Sally’s recommendation but in reader interest, particularly those faced with foreclosure, I suggest you visit www.financialsecurity.gov for information and www.makinghomeaffordable.gov to start the process that could ease your weary mind from the fears of losing your home. The entitlement was given by Obama. As far as other debt, call the number on the back of your credit card(s) and cry, “Fools!” You and them but the rest of us most of all.
Freedom - Let It Fill the Air
As important the word is to America’s heritage, ‘freedom’ appears not once in The Declaration of Independence. Nor does the word appear in The Constitution of the United States.
The Declaration of Independence was delivered on July 4, 1776. The Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787. It wasn’t until the Bill of Rights was amended to the Constitution on December 15, 1791, that the word appeared in Article III, stating ‘Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press’.
The fortitude with which the Founding Fathers proclaimed and fought was for the very freedoms we cherish, however forsaken they seem to many Americans. Today, our affirmation of freedom is taken for granted. It wasn’t so for the Men of Liberty and other Patriots of the American Revolution.
Many of the Founding Fathers were left indigent as their homes and properties were ransacked and burned. Some were tortured and killed as they were captured by British soldiers and Loyalists to King George III of England. And yet, with lost fortunes and lives, with shattered hearts and broken will, they stood by the closing words of the Declaration: “And for the support of this declaration, with the firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
A song that honors the principles of the Declaration of Independence was written by Kris Kristofferson and affectively delivered by Janis Joplin in 1971 with the prolific phrase from ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ – “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…”
The lyrics should give us pause to consider that which we have today and for what were true actions of desperation that forged brave men to claim what no other peoples in the known history of mankind had fought with shear determination and fierce resolve: the freedom of a new nation.
Don’t think for a moment there weren’t contentious debates among the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Think of it as the first legislative compromise in the history of the United States, a truly bipartisan effort of Congress. It was a give-and-take of politics without the dishonorable blight of lobbyists and self-interest groups.
An important omission in the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was a passage that contained 168 words which, if they hadn’t been deleted, would have alienated delegates representing plantation owners in southern states to the extent that they would have sided with the Loyalists and effectively doomed the efforts of the Patriots.
Specifically, the omitted text assailed King George III for waging “cruel War against human Nature itself, violating its most sacred Rights of Life and Liberty of a distant People who never offended him” and “…for Suppressing every legislative Attempt to prohibit or to restrain an execrable Commerce, determined to keep open a Market where Men should be bought and sold…”
It wasn’t until 89 years later that the equality of men of all colors was declared in the then-current 36 United States. The 13th Amendment, ratified on December 6, 1865, which abolished slavery, has no mention of ‘freedom’.
I suppose each of us could name a song or two that we feel justly represents the feel of freedom. A song written by crooner-turned-folk singer, Bobby Darin that still makes my heart yearn for peace, love and understanding among all men is “Simple Song of Freedom”. Originally released in 1969 by Tim Hardin, it still evokes in me a sense of faith and hope for man. It attempts to put to rest the politics of government, racism, religion and the misgivings of war.
As the music and lyrics flow, the feeling of want and desire grow. Goose bumps well for camaraderie among all peoples. I tend to put the song on repeat as if such action might bring the notion to fruition.
The song strongly suggests freedom might be an attainable goal, if only those who keep us from achieving the compassion and harmony of human consciousness had no claim to dampen and control the will of the people.
Space doesn’t allow the printing of the entire lyrics, but a few lines express the want of freedom:
No doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents and ministers and kings
But let us build them shelves where they can fight among themselves
and leave the people be who like to sing
Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the airTell the people everywhere
That we the people here, don't want a war
Please, check out these links for each of Bobby’s and Tim’s versions of ‘Simple Song of Freedom’ and join in what should be a Global Anthem. And let it fill the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvY99BJzN-M [Bobby]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uVcr7LIusc [Tim]
*You may also check out my Parcel Post 07 blog for a tribute to Bobby Darin for his contributions to music, social awareness and his song of freedom.
http://parcel-post.blogspot.com/search?q=global+anthem+
The Declaration of Independence was delivered on July 4, 1776. The Constitution was ratified on September 17, 1787. It wasn’t until the Bill of Rights was amended to the Constitution on December 15, 1791, that the word appeared in Article III, stating ‘Congress shall make no law… abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press’.
The fortitude with which the Founding Fathers proclaimed and fought was for the very freedoms we cherish, however forsaken they seem to many Americans. Today, our affirmation of freedom is taken for granted. It wasn’t so for the Men of Liberty and other Patriots of the American Revolution.
Many of the Founding Fathers were left indigent as their homes and properties were ransacked and burned. Some were tortured and killed as they were captured by British soldiers and Loyalists to King George III of England. And yet, with lost fortunes and lives, with shattered hearts and broken will, they stood by the closing words of the Declaration: “And for the support of this declaration, with the firm reliance on the protection of the Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
A song that honors the principles of the Declaration of Independence was written by Kris Kristofferson and affectively delivered by Janis Joplin in 1971 with the prolific phrase from ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ – “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose…”
The lyrics should give us pause to consider that which we have today and for what were true actions of desperation that forged brave men to claim what no other peoples in the known history of mankind had fought with shear determination and fierce resolve: the freedom of a new nation.
Don’t think for a moment there weren’t contentious debates among the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Think of it as the first legislative compromise in the history of the United States, a truly bipartisan effort of Congress. It was a give-and-take of politics without the dishonorable blight of lobbyists and self-interest groups.
An important omission in the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was a passage that contained 168 words which, if they hadn’t been deleted, would have alienated delegates representing plantation owners in southern states to the extent that they would have sided with the Loyalists and effectively doomed the efforts of the Patriots.
Specifically, the omitted text assailed King George III for waging “cruel War against human Nature itself, violating its most sacred Rights of Life and Liberty of a distant People who never offended him” and “…for Suppressing every legislative Attempt to prohibit or to restrain an execrable Commerce, determined to keep open a Market where Men should be bought and sold…”
It wasn’t until 89 years later that the equality of men of all colors was declared in the then-current 36 United States. The 13th Amendment, ratified on December 6, 1865, which abolished slavery, has no mention of ‘freedom’.
I suppose each of us could name a song or two that we feel justly represents the feel of freedom. A song written by crooner-turned-folk singer, Bobby Darin that still makes my heart yearn for peace, love and understanding among all men is “Simple Song of Freedom”. Originally released in 1969 by Tim Hardin, it still evokes in me a sense of faith and hope for man. It attempts to put to rest the politics of government, racism, religion and the misgivings of war.
As the music and lyrics flow, the feeling of want and desire grow. Goose bumps well for camaraderie among all peoples. I tend to put the song on repeat as if such action might bring the notion to fruition.
The song strongly suggests freedom might be an attainable goal, if only those who keep us from achieving the compassion and harmony of human consciousness had no claim to dampen and control the will of the people.
Space doesn’t allow the printing of the entire lyrics, but a few lines express the want of freedom:
No doubt some folks enjoy doin' battle
Like presidents and ministers and kings
But let us build them shelves where they can fight among themselves
and leave the people be who like to sing
Come and sing a simple song of freedom
Sing it like you've never sung before
Let it fill the airTell the people everywhere
That we the people here, don't want a war
Please, check out these links for each of Bobby’s and Tim’s versions of ‘Simple Song of Freedom’ and join in what should be a Global Anthem. And let it fill the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvY99BJzN-M [Bobby]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uVcr7LIusc [Tim]
*You may also check out my Parcel Post 07 blog for a tribute to Bobby Darin for his contributions to music, social awareness and his song of freedom.
http://parcel-post.blogspot.com/search?q=global+anthem+
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Aborting the Cost of Anti-Abortion
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization on sexual and reproductive health issues, state and federal tax dollars paid $89 million for 177,404 abortions in 2006.
“Already this year tens of thousands of Americans have asked Congress to respect the consciences of taxpayers and stop the abortion bailout,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, in early May. “As Congress begins the new appropriations process, it would do well to heed the voices of constituents and stop the flow of taxpayer dollars to the abortion industry.”
She added, “Common sense dictates one truism: we won’t find reductions in abortion as long as we continue to subsidize and promote it at taxpayers’ expense.”
Talking about subsidizing: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy reported that teen childbearing in the U.S. cost taxpayers over $9.1B in 2004; the breakdown includes $1.9B for health care, $2.3B for child welfare, $2.1B for incarceration and $2.9B in a lifetime of lower wages/less tax revenue. The accumulative estimated costs from 1991 to 2004 are estimated to have been $161B.
A child born to a teen mother who has not finished high school and is not married is nine times more likely to be poorer than a child born to a married adult who finished high school.
Babies born to teens are at an increased risk of low-birth weight and immediate health problems, including mental retardation, blindness, and deafness, plus respiratory distress syndrome and intestinal problems. American taxpayers bear these Welfare costs.
An example of the tax liability incurred with premature childbirth is the case of 33-year old Octomomma Nadya Suleman who is less responsible that any pregnant teen. Already receiving public assistance funds of $490/month in food stamps and an estimated $793 per month each in Social Security disability payments for three of the six existing children (a total of $2,379), the eight children born this past January cost California taxpayers another big bundle for her joys.
Although the actual medical costs haven’t been disclosed, in 2006 the average cost for a California hospital stay was $164,273 per baby, or $1.3M total, according to the Dept. of Health and Human Services. Unless she is more responsible in childrearing than she was in childbearing, the expenses will keep breeding on an already financially burdened California for the next 18 years.
With all 14 children conceived via in-vitro fertilization, it sure seems Nadya has been consistently playing the Welfare game – and California taxpayers aren’t very happy about it. “It's my opinion that a woman's right to reproduce should be limited to a number which the parents can pay for," Charles Murray wrote in a letter to the Los Angeles Daily News. "Why should my wife and I, as taxpayers, pay child support for 14 Suleman kids?”
(Did he suggest cap and trade?)
Indeed, Charles. If intent on preserving the life of unplanned, unwanted and unborn fetuses, then anti-abortion groups, religious organizations and the charity of supportive citizens should bear the inherent financial burdens. Right is right, and the safety of the children would be better placed with the oversight of those who would guarantee them proper diet, housing, clothing and an environment to ensure they grow up as productive members of society.
If not for the dedication and determination of pro-life advocates, the fetuses will continue to be born into poverty, faced with malnutrition, sexual abuse and disadvantages in learning, putting them on paths that will most likely find their grandchildren in the same harrowing existences.
According to 2001 stats from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 40% pregnancies of white women were unplanned, 54% among Hispanics and 69% among blacks. We all know the conditions that await the lives of inner-city youths. Welcome to the real world, all you unwanted kids, thanks to anti-abortion advocates. The more the merrier?
Abstinence? Although we’re an intelligent lot, we’re still mammals with animal instincts inclined to satisfy rapture’s calling. Studies have shown that men think about sex every 52 seconds; women perhaps once a day, suggesting it’s the woman’s choice to accept the risk of pregnancy – outside of rape.
The average yearly cost incurred with each child born to a mother aged 17 and younger is $4,080 to the American taxpayer. In addition to the Standard Deduction, and with no need to file Schedule A, at the very least I should be able to claim this as a charitable deduction on Form 1040.
If not, the next poll should include the question, “On the issue of abortion, are you willing to provide $4,080, or more, in yearly taxes in support of making abortion illegal? Your answer is binding.”
A follow-up question could be, “Keeping in mind that you cannot change your previous answer, do you consider yourself a member of the Moral Majority?”
[Please, read the next blog entry 'BroncoBett Aborts Ron Rae' for a reader comment.]
“Already this year tens of thousands of Americans have asked Congress to respect the consciences of taxpayers and stop the abortion bailout,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of Susan B. Anthony List, in early May. “As Congress begins the new appropriations process, it would do well to heed the voices of constituents and stop the flow of taxpayer dollars to the abortion industry.”
She added, “Common sense dictates one truism: we won’t find reductions in abortion as long as we continue to subsidize and promote it at taxpayers’ expense.”
Talking about subsidizing: The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy reported that teen childbearing in the U.S. cost taxpayers over $9.1B in 2004; the breakdown includes $1.9B for health care, $2.3B for child welfare, $2.1B for incarceration and $2.9B in a lifetime of lower wages/less tax revenue. The accumulative estimated costs from 1991 to 2004 are estimated to have been $161B.
A child born to a teen mother who has not finished high school and is not married is nine times more likely to be poorer than a child born to a married adult who finished high school.
Babies born to teens are at an increased risk of low-birth weight and immediate health problems, including mental retardation, blindness, and deafness, plus respiratory distress syndrome and intestinal problems. American taxpayers bear these Welfare costs.
An example of the tax liability incurred with premature childbirth is the case of 33-year old Octomomma Nadya Suleman who is less responsible that any pregnant teen. Already receiving public assistance funds of $490/month in food stamps and an estimated $793 per month each in Social Security disability payments for three of the six existing children (a total of $2,379), the eight children born this past January cost California taxpayers another big bundle for her joys.
Although the actual medical costs haven’t been disclosed, in 2006 the average cost for a California hospital stay was $164,273 per baby, or $1.3M total, according to the Dept. of Health and Human Services. Unless she is more responsible in childrearing than she was in childbearing, the expenses will keep breeding on an already financially burdened California for the next 18 years.
With all 14 children conceived via in-vitro fertilization, it sure seems Nadya has been consistently playing the Welfare game – and California taxpayers aren’t very happy about it. “It's my opinion that a woman's right to reproduce should be limited to a number which the parents can pay for," Charles Murray wrote in a letter to the Los Angeles Daily News. "Why should my wife and I, as taxpayers, pay child support for 14 Suleman kids?”
(Did he suggest cap and trade?)
Indeed, Charles. If intent on preserving the life of unplanned, unwanted and unborn fetuses, then anti-abortion groups, religious organizations and the charity of supportive citizens should bear the inherent financial burdens. Right is right, and the safety of the children would be better placed with the oversight of those who would guarantee them proper diet, housing, clothing and an environment to ensure they grow up as productive members of society.
If not for the dedication and determination of pro-life advocates, the fetuses will continue to be born into poverty, faced with malnutrition, sexual abuse and disadvantages in learning, putting them on paths that will most likely find their grandchildren in the same harrowing existences.
According to 2001 stats from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, 40% pregnancies of white women were unplanned, 54% among Hispanics and 69% among blacks. We all know the conditions that await the lives of inner-city youths. Welcome to the real world, all you unwanted kids, thanks to anti-abortion advocates. The more the merrier?
Abstinence? Although we’re an intelligent lot, we’re still mammals with animal instincts inclined to satisfy rapture’s calling. Studies have shown that men think about sex every 52 seconds; women perhaps once a day, suggesting it’s the woman’s choice to accept the risk of pregnancy – outside of rape.
The average yearly cost incurred with each child born to a mother aged 17 and younger is $4,080 to the American taxpayer. In addition to the Standard Deduction, and with no need to file Schedule A, at the very least I should be able to claim this as a charitable deduction on Form 1040.
If not, the next poll should include the question, “On the issue of abortion, are you willing to provide $4,080, or more, in yearly taxes in support of making abortion illegal? Your answer is binding.”
A follow-up question could be, “Keeping in mind that you cannot change your previous answer, do you consider yourself a member of the Moral Majority?”
[Please, read the next blog entry 'BroncoBett Aborts Ron Rae' for a reader comment.]
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