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Patriot Act and Verizon data collection,Rand Paul’s outrage?

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Is BIG BROTHER listening to you, compiling records of your phone conversations? Well sure they are and have been for quite some time. The Patriot Act signed post 9/11 and renewed in 2006 and again 2011 gave the government unprecedented ability to watch, listen and store data on anyone and everyone. So why now is there anger or surprise over this violation of our privacy?

“ The National Security Agency’s seizure and surveillance of virtually all of Verizon’s customers is an astounding assault on the Constitution” Rand Paul R-Kentucky 

image source:www.hpronline.com

image source:www.hpronline.com

Senator Paul who fought to change the Patriot Act in May 2011 and introduced an amendment which was voted on and failed 85-10 seems as he understands governments broad reach is not good for America. Let’s not get too excited about Senator Paul protecting our freedom. Paul’s amendment was not about phone records it was about protecting the anonymity of the gun buyer, restricting governments ability to gain access to firearm receipts and also gun dealer records. Where was Rand Paul’s outrage over the government’s ability to track phone records then? Was he even aware this was part of the Patriot Act?

A few questions with the exception of the above quote we have no insight. To view Paul’s remark as a stand alone statement it would seem that his statement is merely political as there is no other statements from him on the subject. Perceived as a presidential candidate in 2016 we can assume he is taking a position with no risk. With Fox News and others suddenly concerned over the seizing of data where were they when the act was passed? Where was Paul’s or any other politician’s attempt to protect our liberties when the act was renewed again overwhelmingly?

Furloughed workers, unemployment claims, Fox spin to outrage the public

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luntz

image source: fox-free-zone.com

“Raising questions about sequester savings” Fox News is at it again, attacking middle-class workers and their families. Unemployment and the eligibility of those furloughed to receive benefits. With no “reliable figures” to support the title of his article Judson Berger’s Fox News.com piece seems to be another attempt (though weak) at swaying  public opinion. Absent the reality of how unemployment actually works and the monies that can be claimed by those furloughed (states vary how claims can be made). “One union found a way around restrictions” Berger’s article takes a shot at the Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers for entering into an agreement with the Navy to lump days together so those furloughed ( a nicer word than laid-off) to use unemployment insurance that they PAID INTO.

Taking a 20% pay-cut is the issue and can the average American worker afford this? I guess leaving a blank space for you to fill in your answer is appropriate _______________. Unemployment insurance,( administered by states) has limits one being a cap on payments from a low of $235.00 per week if you live in Mississippi to a high of $939.00 per week in Massachusetts. (http://www.fileunemployment.org)

The waiting week, many states have this requirement to meet before receiving benefits. Seven consecutive days prior to beginning benefits, to be met one time. So if the days are lumped together by all those furloughed as reported by Berger how much would these furloughed be paid? That number would be a ZERO benefit for those in waiting week states. In the state of Pennsylvania where the chapter of the Federation of Professional & Technical Engineers worked out the agreement with the Navy (as stated in Berger’s article), a waiting week is required and NO BENEFITS are paid for this week. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=921880&mode=2

Perception and the attempt to frame the government worker and unions. Reading the title of Berger’s Fox News article is meant to create outrage. To read the article you are provided no facts of real cost to taxpayers or those furloughed workers. If those who are unionized manage to work out agreements with government agencies to ease the pain of lost wages, they are still subject to the rules of unemployment. Sequester was put in place to reduce the cost of government (good or bad). If anyone should be attacked it should be those in Washington who did not address the issues and created sequester. Should we be surprised that no lawmaker looked into the potential impact on future unemployment claims? Another half-ass effort by Washington? Fox News, attacking workers and unions again, also a half-assed effort but the title should grab the haters of middle-class workers attention.

Taking the lead from Brazil, student debt forgiveness, the economy, Washington’s next stimulus

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Congress

image source: www.teambuildinginc.com

In July 2012 student debt owed to the federal government totaled $864 billion (N.Y. Times) As of 2:57 Eastern Standard Time 5/29/2013 the total U.S. debt $16,840,092,265,000 or $53,000 per person. Debt which seems out of control and nobody is doing a thing about it, the feeling you get looking at the real-time U.S. debt clock http://www.usdebtclock.org/ We have listened and heard the same tired arguments from both parties, revenue increases or taxes and the entitlement cuts to our social programs. What you seem to never hear from either party and if you do it lacks any serious thought, improving the economy, our future economy and creating jobs.

This brings me to the recent move made by Brazil, forgiving and restructuring some $900 million in debt owed from 12 African countries. This strategic move made by Brazil a plan that will increase trade which has already increased 5 times in the last decade. Many would say this decades old debt would have never been paid anyway, so what did they really accomplish? For starters they removed a burden of a murky future for these 12 countries and possibly opened a new door to economic success. Brazil also might have gained a stronger trade partner(s) willing to do more business with them in the future.

A stronger economic partner approach we have also attempted to do in America with other countries, The North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) being the most notable. But what of our citizens? What benefit(s) would forgiving the $864 billion in student debt accomplish? Keeping in mind our consumer driven economy, eliminating student debt would free up far more than the debt owed. Interest on these loans increasing the overall loss of funds to the economy for a decade or more. Increased consumer spending EQUALS JOBS! Jobs then equal tax collections and more revenue for Uncle Sam, far more than principal and interest on the loans.

Washington needs to take a hard look at better alternatives that would benefit the economy and citizens. Putting a price tag of $864 billion on it, well the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 had an original price tag of $831 billion. Some say the cost was more like $2.8 trillion. Investing in your citizens, SEEMS LIKE A GREAT IDEA!

Apple’s Timothy Cook to answer questions today

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Congress

image source: www.teambuildinginc.com

Watching yesterday Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan) speak on the investigation surrounding Apple’s tax strategy or avoidance plan what are Levin’s and Washington’s plan? Apple who is being accused of setting up off-shore entities with no resident anywhere and the result no taxes, filings or record keeping. Apple claims that they are the largest taxpayer in America, contributing $6 billion to Uncle Sam.  Today Apple CEO Timothy Cook will speak to the Senate Sub-Committee in what is expected to be an explosive event. While lawmakers have not accused Apple of breaking any laws, the company is basically in a public relations battle (Along with Google and Starbucks).

What we have is a company with ability and means to pull it off using America’s (and also other countries)complex tax system in its entirety. We previously heard during the 2012 election how nominal tax rates for business are the HIGHEST in the world at 35% and need to be reduced (GOP WANT). Obviously this is not needed for Apple or others who employ tax avoidance strategies. Washington is on a witch hunt and it is not to put more money in the governments pocket. This is a public relations move for those of us pissed off when we hear of entitlement cuts. We cannot afford it is what we continually hear from Washington. Apple and the Senate Sub-Committee investigation is an attempt to make it look as they are looking after our best interest. In the end more than likely no charges will be filed(because no laws have been broken), no tax dollars will be recovered and we will be left (the taxpayers) holding the bag for the expense of a useless investigation. Will they REFORM the tax-code in response to this investigation? Or will it remain business as usual with Washington talking plenty, the people getting angrier and companies like Apple doing what they do, attempting to keep as many dollars as possible.

Invest a half million in America, get yourself a VISA

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state of the union

photo: defenderofthemiddleclass

While Washington continues to debate immigration and a path to citizenship some are buying their way in. Investor Visa’s, (EB-5 program) nothing new as they have been available since 1990. The application process, invest $500,000 to $1 million demonstrate the investment create or preserved at least 1o full-time jobs and you are in. Applicants may also apply for additional visa’s for family to live, go to school and work in the United States. Last year around 6000 visa’s were issued for this program. According to  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services since the program began it has created 46,810 jobs and generated $2.3 billion in investment.

{Learning that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation was planning to use foreign investment to build connections to I-95 obtained through this program is how I learned of this}

Immigration in this country is clearly a mess, open borders, illegal’s living, working and receiving taxpayer benefits along with education(s). While Washington and the people debate what is best for the future of the country and the illegals already here we have this program. With twenty-three years of existence the program has created 46,810 jobs or 2035 jobs per year. These are also government statistics which have been known to be inaccurate. Does this sound successful to you?  The EB-5 program, if the investors fulfill the requirements of “job creation/preservation” can apply for full citizenship three years upon entry.

With the concerns over immigration, the potential threats to national security does this sound like a program that should be allowed to continue? Is 10 jobs per VISA issued being the minimum sound like enough jobs? Maybe Pennsylvania DOT should re-think where investment is coming from. Or is the problem the RICH people who are United States citizens? You know the job creators who get all the tax-breaks that aren’t investing in America.

Additional reading: http://money.cnn.com/2012/06/11/news/economy/citizenship-foreign-investment/index.htm

Working Families Flex Act passed by House, GOP rebranding itself?

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right-wing crap

image source:http://picdash.com/178/

Along party lines the House yesterday passed the Working families Flexibility Act (223-204). It is not expected to be passed or taken seriously by the Senate or President. The legislation under the smoke screen of “families” is intended to undermine the ability for the hourly worker to earn overtime, allowing for compensatory time as an alternative (time-off).

Thankfully we have a Democrat controlled Senate where this legislation will not become law. The attempt by the GOP to rebrand themselves as family friendly? (this is what the GOP media is pushing) This legislation would take earnings out of the pockets of hourly workers and allow for business to give time-off when they so desire. Speaking on this before it still screams the question, “if you are family friendly where is the national  sick-time bill?”

This is not the first attempt by the GOP to pass this business friendly legislation. Keeping overtime in your pockets, you have it for now so KEEP THE SENATE DEMOCRAT! Your future income depends on it!

The morning after pill, what is age appropriate to make the right choice(s)

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image source: http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2013/02/21/morning-b186a9e2e59e1f5f3b72624d48edbd745dbbc569-s6-c10.jpg

image source: http://media.npr.org

The U.S. Justice Department Wednesday filed a notice of appeal over a federal judges ruling making the morning after pill available over the counter to children. “Without significant point-of-sale-restrictions”, this the Justice Departments argument which is obviously the opposite argument from groups such as Planned Parenthood. Whether or not this form of birth control should be accessible to children without parental knowledge is one issue. To listen to the debate surrounding the pill yesterday on talk radio great points were made to not allow the by-pass of the parent. Doing some reading the following quote I found to be rather interesting “…teens are as likely as adults to use emergency contraception correctly” Cecile Richards  President Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Age appropriate, in America we are bound to regulation from the government(s). Purchasing cigarettes you must be 18 years of age. Regulation allowing automobile use vary state to state but is mainly 16 years-old. Buying alcohol 21, voting 18 and joining the military 18. Pointing out the agenda of New York City Mayor Bloomberg, regulating the size of soft drinks the extreme example of the nanny state and one that makes the age of 15 for the morning after pill sound more ridiculous. Seeing in print what we already know about America, the message? Our government wants their hands in damn near everything and they have no idea what age is the right age. American’s at the age of 18 don’t have enough common sense when it comes to alcohol but have the common sense to understand what they are getting into when they join the military. Children at 16 have the mental capacity to properly and safely drive a car but aren’t smart enough when it comes to smoking. Now we have the 15 year-old girl who is expected to have the common sense when it comes to the morning after pill. Just to base that off of the above how is this possible?

The debate in regard to what is age appropriate for the morning after pill is important, but the issue of age goes far deeper. Opponents and proponents of alcohol use, cigarettes, voting rights, the morning after pill, etc, have helped in creating the moving target of ” what is age appropriate”. The American Nanny state, do we need more or less regulation? The discussion over the age of 15 being appropriate is ridiculous if you look at the other ages assigned to maturity. Maybe it is time for a national age of adulthood for everything. If you are old enough to die for your country then you should be able to have the mental capacity to make the right decisions on smoking, drinking and all related to living. Deciding on the right age, 18, 19 or 21 for everything, this should be the debate. As far as the morning after pill, 15 doesn’t seem like the right number if you relate it to any of the above.

General Motors moving toward a greener future, to release Chevy Spark

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source:carguyblog.com

source:carguyblog.com

The next electric vehicle offering by General Motors will be the Chevy Spark EV, announced Wednesday. To be released in July it will go on sale in California and Oregon. The Spark mini-car can travel up to 82 miles on a single charge which will make it one of the leaders of the segment. Projected price, $32,500 before federal tax credit.

Overall the electric car  market is continuing to grow with sales totaling 4900 vehicles in the first quarter of this year. This despite the drop in gas prices nation wide. Will the Spark EV give General Motors and the market a boost in sales or, is the car part of a larger picture?

Last August the Obama Administration and U.S. Department of Energy announced new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The new requirements to be met by 2025 increase mileage for every car and truck sold to 54.5 miles per gallon. Under these new standards the consumer and the environment will be winners. The consumer will save $1.7 trillion on gasoline per year and the environment will be saved from 6 billion metric tons of gas emissions. This will come at a cost at the point of purchase, increasing the average price of a car/truck by $1800.00, relatively small compared to the gas savings.

Considering the future expectations of automobile manufacturers, YES the Chevy Spark EV is another step toward the future. We have heard far too often from opponents that these cars are not what the consumer wants. But to achieve the much higher standards by 2025 offerings such as the Spark will continue to come. Phasing out of the “gas only” automobile not a likely alternative in the near future but one that will come. Getting real on the road data on mileage and performance is how General Motors and all automakers will improve technology eventually to take us away from 12 billion barrels of oil.

additional reading:  http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1078795_u-s-epa-gives-final-ruling-on-gas-mileage-standards54-5mpg-by-2025

Economic reality and raising the minimum wage

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Congress

image source: www.teambuildinginc.com

President Obama’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $9.00, would it be good for the economy? Forget the moral obligation of our government for a moment and let’s just focus on economics.

If the government were to increase the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $9.00 the impact obviously would not be only for the bottom wage earners. Those making more would possibly also see increases. Certainly good for those workers, but the opponents of increasing the pay floor claim any increase would slow hiring or worse. Allowing the market to dictate wages, this is what opponents (mainly Republicans) believe is the correct way. Or for a better way to put it, do NOTHING.

The market and how it is changed over years to a service economy. The service industry is mainly unskilled labor. Low profit margins on products (say cheese burgers) don’t allow for high wages. Supermarkets another industry with low margins another example of depressed wages in America. Increasing consumer cost for products/services would be the only alternative to decreased profits and/or reducing employment.

Prevailing wage for the area? The Davis-Bacon Act of 1931 which has been amended and suspended (most recently in response to Hurricane Katrina) over the years is specific to federal government projects and specific industries. Is further amendment to this act an alternative for America? Prevailing wages for the area, how do you accurately determine what they are, this in the 1970′s was a subject of a report by the Government Accountability Office. The report suggested the repeal of the Davis-Bacon Act as economic conditions, the character of industries such as construction and wage laws (minimum wage) made the act unnecessary. A complete circle back to the beginning and increasing the minimum wage.

In the discussion of minimum wage, illegal immigration and illegal workers how do they impact our workforce? With millions of undocumented workers being paid below the minimum wage and not paying taxes is a huge problem for our economy. “Jobs that we do not want” has been also part of the argument thus making it okay for this to continue?

The argument against raising the minimum wage and creating higher prices and possibly slowing hiring. The Republican argument against raising the minimum wage has merit. Moving toward the idea of a Davis-Bacon approach and the prevailing wage, good for higher skilled jobs or just an administrative nightmare that only inflates government costs and taxpayer expense. America has more than one problem to tackle before attempting to raise the minimum wage. The first being getting all workers (Illegal workers) on the books, paying taxes. Compared to changing our direction from a consumer economy to a manufacturing one. Illegal worker’s looks like low hanging fruit.

GOP Comp time proposal? Wrong for families, wrong for the economy

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Congress

image source: www.teambuildinginc.com

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) and the rest of the “family friendly GOP” are proposing loosening rules to allow for compensatory time instead of overtime. To take such a proposal seriously from the GOP one would need to ask many questions. The first question that comes to mind; if they are concerned with families, why would they not increase the minimum wage? We are talking about families and parents being able to provide for them, financially and physically aren’t we?

Well of course we are not! Changing the New Deal Fair Labor Standards and laws surrounding overtime pay is all about big business. Avoiding extra payroll costs and allowing “families” to take time off when they do not want it. It will be time-off designated by the employer. Imagine a Walmart worker being allowed to take comp time when they need it. This sounds a bit a stretch considering they are damn near always open.

What about the economy? Our consumer economy can ill afford less money being available,especially for the lower wage earners who will work overtime and spend those earnings,

Compensatory time off is not always bad but having the Federal Government stick their noses in and loosen rules? If they want to legislate this change I would be all for it, but let’s do the entire package. Mandatory sick time legislation! If the GOP is interested in family this sounds like an excellent addition!

Charity and the Republican Party, how about some charity in their work

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right-wing crap

image source:http://picdash.com/178/

Distracted driving, lawmakers around the country have been addressing this problem with plenty of focus on cell phone use and texting. Again today I quickly came to realize that talk radio may some day be a target. Listening to Dom Giordano on 1210 I caught a final few sentences with a caller when the host said “Republican Charitable Giving far exceeds Democratic giving, that Democrats believe government should be the charity.” ( I almost blew a light!) If his statement is true in the sense Republicans give more money to charity, checking out on the internet  you might come to this 2009 article loaded with data and interactive gift giving map. http://blog.geoiq.com/2009/01/07/dataset-of-the-day-who-is-more-generous-republicans-or-democrats/ The article goes on with support numbers and some reasons of why, higher religious population for one. So without pouring over the numbers and putting you to sleep, the article supports Giordano’s statement. But what if? What if the government was allowed/ or actually signed some legislation to do more for the people? Would we have less charity and fewer people in need today? The Republican Party during the 2012 election was quick to point out that poverty and those on food stamps has grown exponentially during Obama’s first term. One would have to figure that in these statements the need for food banks has also increased. Some of those food banks have also sent out appeals ( I have received them) that they are in dire need of donations to serve the increasing hungry. What I am getting at is this, Republicans fear taxes and paying any tax at all, so why should their charitable giving be even talked about? Reading of corporations getting big tax breaks or paying no tax at all makes you think of the Republican. Not to say that their charitable giving is going to food banks or somewhere else but maybe their charitable giving would not be needed if there was some charity in their lawmaking. Hey, how about the talk around Romney’s charitable giving prior to his election. It might be possible that Romney’s low tax rate enabled him to give money.

Republican Fight:

  1. Minimum Wage Increases
  2. Equal Pay for Women
  3. Health Care for all citizens
  4. Education Funding
  5. Social Security Increases
  6. Medicare Improvements
  7. Unions
  8. OSHA : Worker protections
  9. Against unemployment
  10. Rights to organize Unions

These are just 10 of the issues that the GOP has worked to cut and eliminate, through the last four years and for that matter decades. All of them would improve the majority of the people’s economic position in the United States. One can also say Giordano’s statement then Democrats believe that government is charity is true. The Democratic party has supported these issues for decades with many of these programs being responsible for the former growth of Middle Class America.

Dollars and SENSE> If the Republican Party focused more on the people’s needs and less on big business, tax-cuts and subsidies of oil where would America’s people be? We certainly wouldn’t be spending time boasting on the radio about how great Republican charitable giving is.  The people would have less need for food banks and food stamps so less charitable giving. If the great gift giving of Republicans even include food for the needy. Republicans are why we have these needs, so to talk of their generosity? Keeping the people hungry while they get their tax breaks doesn’t sound charitable to me.

Food Stamps and housing aid are these programs out of control by governments own hand?

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Congress

image source: www.teambuildinginc.com

The federal government, specifically those on the right believe (as we well know) entitlement programs are the reason we have such great debt. Calling these programs unsustainable, attacking Social Security and Medicare at every opportunity. They also are quick to point out that under President Obama, more people are on food stamps today than they were under Bush. Without a doubt the past 5 years have been difficult for America, job losses, the housing crash and the banking crisis has taken its toll. Include over a decade of wars, and TAX-CUTS, it is a miracle that we are seeing the modest growth we have today. The theme of the Republicans has been a consistent one, blame the elderly, the poor and those who in their words “don’t want to provide for themselves.” To entertain such anti-humanity (democrat speak), you must reside in the Top 1%. But to say that the Republican Party is totally wrong? That would imply that the Democrats are totally right in their approach to our society and ultimately our economy.

The federal government and the word efficient, we hear plenty of talk of being inefficient but none on how to fix it. The programs that aid the poor, food stamps and housing subsidies, two programs that need not cuts but more scrutiny. Personal responsibility of our citizens, Republicans have touched on it plenty and in a way they are right. The single mother, poor, on food stamps and housing assistance. The question is where is the father of the unwed mother? Why is the federal government not requiring these individuals to be the first resource for the single mother? To state that deals are made between fathers of these babies and the mothers, we all know someone who has something to hide. Father providing monies, maybe even living with them, all the while the household is collecting assistance from the federal government who believes this not the case. It is called fraud, ripping off the government, the taxpayer and in the end Grandma’s Social Security/Medicare. But who desires to be that person who turns them in? This is where government needs to grow, hire more people to investigate and expose those who are defrauding the government.

The bonus of reproduction when you are poor or allegedly poor. If you are a single mother who’s on government assistance, increasing the family from two to three didn’t happen by immaculate conception. Disclosure of who the father of these children is and garnishing his wages to pay for programs used by the mother. If this was a mandatory requirement for the mother and her children to obtain benefits, would we have fewer people on them? Let’s face it, in most cases the father is no mystery and if he is, well benefits should be denied, the mother needs to be held to some socially acceptable standard.

Making government more responsible for our dollars, this should be the first step. Hiring more employees, stiffening requirements and full disclosure of who the fathers and in some cases the mothers are. Forcing them to pay up(if they have the means) before We the People pay sounds fair. The people collecting Social Security and Medicare paid into those programs they shouldn’t be the ones attacked.

Smith and Wesson’s profits continue to soar while Washington talks

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image source: http://nikadon.com/free-guns-pistols-shortgun-and-rifles-wallpaper-for-computer-desktop-and-laptop-of-high-resolution/gun-9/

image source: http://nikadon.com/free-guns-pistols-shortgun-and-rifles-wallpaper-for-computer-desktop-and-laptop-of-high-resolution/gun-9/

In the aftermath of the Connecticut school massacre, the country has been the victim yet again of do nothing  Washington. Since the shootings, the leaders of Washington have promised change. Others have taken their typical stances on protecting the Constitutional right to bear arms. President Obama has laid out a plan for change and through Vice President Biden have articulated what they believe is needed.

related information: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-25/politics/36542149_1_background-checks-gun-buyers-background-check-system

Through it all, FEAR of change has spurred gun sales, fueling gun manufacturer Smith and Wesson’s projected profits.(quarterly results to be announced today, expected to have tripled). The White Houses key proposal, background checks, could this alone be why sales are soaring? Or is it the gun advocates spreading the fear of bans? What’s the responsible response to the latest massacre certainly requires actual action. While the powers of Washington play politics the big business of manufacturing and selling guns is reaping huge rewards.

More guns on the streets, this seems to be the trend after massacres. What has actually happened after recent tragedies, plenty of shareholder profit, talk and lies. Hopefully this time words will become actions. If Washington has no real intent of changing anything, if they all just shut the hell up, they might keep some guns off the street.

Sequestration: The Sky hasn’t fallen…..yet

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Congress

image source: www.teambuildinginc.com

The 2011 law that allowed for Friday’s automatic across the board cuts to government spending, when will the effects be noticed? Will they be noticed at all? Truth in politics, these words should be outlawed as rarely if ever do we get the truth. As we approached the deadline, I with many referred to this coming event as another example of Washington doing nothing. But today after the weekend has passed and the sky has not fallen and our economy has not self-destructed, I have come to realize that Washington has done something even though no credit/fault is owned.

Cutting the federal budget is necessary just as raising taxes to address low revenue is, though some in Washington would like you to believe otherwise. The issues with these cuts, obviously are where they were made, unemployment for one will directly impact our economy. (Not to mention the lives of the many people still out of work). The future furloughs of Federal Employees will also immediately impact the economy and governments revenue collection. What Washington has failed to do is address the ECONOMY directly. The 2011 law, was simply cuts for the sake of making cuts. Friday it allowed the politicians in Washington (all of them) to stand with their platforms and alleged “political values” instead of taking on the real issues and solving the country’s long-term problems.

Washington has spoken, they just aren’t speaking much truth or speaking to our problems. Again being paid for, creating more problems.

related: http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2013/feb/27/sequestration-looms-we-sort-facts/

Veteran’s Benefit backlog, TWO YEARS and counting here!

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voter id's

pic: defenderofthemiddleclass.com

Applying for Veteran Benefits to help balance the budget and supply needed care, seemed like a good idea when I helped my father fill the forms out. The VA forms for a non-service connected disability were plenty, to include doctor certification, records and details on his financial condition. This was completed in February 2011 and immediately after the VA requested “additional information” that we promptly provided. Since that time we have waited, with a letter coming from the VA about every two month’s or so letting us know “they were working on it”, in total we have received about 8 of these pointless reminders at a taxpayer cost of $3.60 for the stamps. Reading about the backlog of 900,000 similar cases taking an average of 272 days, I figure the VA has WASTED at minimum 3 letters per person or $1,215,000 on postage letting the applicant know “they are working on it.

Wasting the money on letters a small amount so who cares? The letter is a constant reminder that our Federal Government doesn’t give a damn about the people who served our country. Making them wait an average of 272 days, I would be thrilled with such a short wait! To date my father, AGAIN A VETERAN has waited over two years or more than 730 DAYS. We have attempted to get our Congressman involved this past summer, which has produced, obviously the same results as ours.

Who is responsible? Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki who promised to fix the problem has made it far worse.   http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/09/veterans-die-waiting-for-benefits-as-va-claims-backlog-builds.html 

According to the article link above, 53 Veterans die each day while waiting for benefits. What about the ones who are going or have gone BROKE waiting?