The Court of Appeals has ruled that the time frame has passed for the Lucas County Board of Elections to hold a protest hearing on District 6 Councilwoman Lindsay Webb's late filing of her acceptance of nomination.
This means that the BOE cannot hold a protest hearing. But is that the end of the issue?
As I've said in the past, I blame the members of the BOE - especially the two new Republicans (one of whom was appointed supposedly because of his vast experience in election law) - for not knowing what was required and ensuring that all criteria were met PRIOR to voting to certify candidates to the ballot. Had our Republican representatives on the board made a checklist of items needed for certification, they would have known that Webb didn't meet the filing deadline for her acceptance letter and would have questioned that at the certification vote, no matter what the BOE staff had done.
But because of the ruling, the BOE should now be researching how they can de-certify a candidate without a protest being filed. They should be having conversations with the Secretary of State and their legal representative about what their options are. They messed up and it should be up to them - not a protest by another candidate - to fix the problem.
They've de-certified candidates in the past (most recently Neal Mahoney this year) as have other elections boards across the state, so it wouldn't be a first time or even an unusual action for them to take. In the case of Mahoney, they de-certified him after they improperly certified him - so how would that be different from Lindsay Webb's case?
So if they haven't asked this question, they should. And if they've asked it, they should share the answer with the public.
Inquiring minds....
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Why aren't we drilling in the Gulf?
Despite the fact that President Barack Obama has 'lifted' the moratorium put into place after the BP oil rig accident, there is no new drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. If the President is so keen to put people back to work, why hasn't the simple solution of granting permits been implemented?
As this video shows (HT BizzyBlog) the problem is the bureaucracy - we'd be drilling if the regulators could process the paperwork their own regulations require.
And people want to put government in charge of our health care!
As this video shows (HT BizzyBlog) the problem is the bureaucracy - we'd be drilling if the regulators could process the paperwork their own regulations require.
And people want to put government in charge of our health care!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Ohio and the 'Big Labor vs. Taxpayers Index"
From OneNewsNow:
Ohio ranks 21 - putting us in the middle of the pack with an index score of 19 out of a possible 40, including scores on:
Some interesting facts from the score:
For more information on the ranking and the score, go here.
Two public policy organizations have joined together for a new initiative that aims to help taxpayers hold government unions accountable.
The "Big Labor vs. Taxpayers Index" is the collaboration of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI) and Crossroads GPS. They say it gives policy makers, members of the media, the business community, and the public a "clear picture" of the union powers and privileges across the states.
"What we did is take each state's collective bargaining laws, binding arbitration laws, paycheck protection laws, [and] open meeting laws, and we had up to 11 points, which equal to about 1,100 data points that we ranked each state on whether they were for big labor or they were for the taxpayer," Trey Kovacs, CEI labor policy analyst explains of the information available.
Ohio ranks 21 - putting us in the middle of the pack with an index score of 19 out of a possible 40, including scores on:
■Collective Bargaining
■Paycheck protection laws
■Secret ballot protections and card check
■Binding Arbitration
■Open meetings laws
■Government union density
■Public employee pension underfunding
■Project labor agreements
■Strike policy for government employees
Some interesting facts from the score:
Pension Liability - Total $171.1 billion - Per household $2,051
Union Membership Density:
Total-13.7%
Private Sector-8.4%
Public Sector-43.1%
Right to Work:
Forced unionism
For more information on the ranking and the score, go here.
The 'flags for bureaucrats' act
I'm sure that's not what they'd like H.R. 2061 to be known as, but that's what some people are calling it: the 'flags for bureaucrats' act.
Officially, it's the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 and it would authorize the presentation of a U.S. Flag to the family of a federal employee who died while working for the government.
Under the Act, the head of an executive agency could pay for and present the flag when an individual who was an employee of the agency "dies of injuries incurred in connection with such individual's employment with the Federal government." The bill was introduced by Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY24) and has 18 co-sponsors.
Here is the background for the bill:
I completely understand the desire to honor government employees for their service to the people of this nation. But I wonder if such presentations would diminish the tribute paid to our military for the voluntary act of putting their lives on the line for our defense. I do not want that to happen.
While in this day and age of terrorism or even the drug wars in Mexico, it may be a given that any federal employee is at risk, but they don't enter the service with the foreknowledge and expectation that they are offering their lives for us as the members of our military forces do. The presentation of the flag as a tribute paid to the family members of our military is a special thing - and my eyes tear up just thinking about the words that are said at the time: "on behalf of a grateful nation."
If you're an embassy worker who happens to be present when some idiots sets off a car bomb, is that really the same thing deserving of the 'on behalf of a grateful nation' presentation?
And what if you're an IRS agent who dies in a car accident on your way to an audit? Or if you die of a heart attack while protesting or picketing? The bill would allow the agency heads to present a flag under these circumstances if a family requests. And if a family were to request, would the agency head go against a union and say no?
Apparently, I'm not the only one who doesn't like this idea. Erick Erickson of RedState.com has also weighed in on the issue:
If the military thought this was a good idea, I'd probably defer to them. But our veterans aren't happy with the bill either. The American Legion believes the bill "is a misguided attempt to equate civil service with military service." I agree.
I understand that Rep. Hanna's office is meeting with the American Legion in order to draft some language that would address their concerns and a new vote on the bill has not yet been set.
There is still time to weigh in on the issue. If you believe this honor and tribute should be reserved to our military, be sure to call Congress and let them know: 202-224-3121.
Officially, it's the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 and it would authorize the presentation of a U.S. Flag to the family of a federal employee who died while working for the government.
Under the Act, the head of an executive agency could pay for and present the flag when an individual who was an employee of the agency "dies of injuries incurred in connection with such individual's employment with the Federal government." The bill was introduced by Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY24) and has 18 co-sponsors.
Here is the background for the bill:
According to the sponsor’s office, nearly 3,000 federal civilian workers have died on the job since 1992. For those civilian employees who die in the course of service to their country, H.R. 2061 would authorize the presentation of a United States flag as a way to formally express sympathy and gratitude. There is currently no law authorizing the presentment of a flag to the families of civilian employees who lose their lives as a result of their employment. More than 100,000 civilian employees have served in Afghanistan and Iraq alongside military forces. Every year federal civilian employees are killed at home and abroad while doing their jobs. In the U.S., federal employees, from law enforcement officers to IRS employees, have given their lives while on duty.
I completely understand the desire to honor government employees for their service to the people of this nation. But I wonder if such presentations would diminish the tribute paid to our military for the voluntary act of putting their lives on the line for our defense. I do not want that to happen.
While in this day and age of terrorism or even the drug wars in Mexico, it may be a given that any federal employee is at risk, but they don't enter the service with the foreknowledge and expectation that they are offering their lives for us as the members of our military forces do. The presentation of the flag as a tribute paid to the family members of our military is a special thing - and my eyes tear up just thinking about the words that are said at the time: "on behalf of a grateful nation."
If you're an embassy worker who happens to be present when some idiots sets off a car bomb, is that really the same thing deserving of the 'on behalf of a grateful nation' presentation?
And what if you're an IRS agent who dies in a car accident on your way to an audit? Or if you die of a heart attack while protesting or picketing? The bill would allow the agency heads to present a flag under these circumstances if a family requests. And if a family were to request, would the agency head go against a union and say no?
Apparently, I'm not the only one who doesn't like this idea. Erick Erickson of RedState.com has also weighed in on the issue:
The act of folding the flag and giving it to the grieving family should mean something special. And when anyone who works for the federal government can get it, not just soldiers who died in active service protecting the country, it becomes just another trapping of power from the federal government available to all those people in the ever expanding federal bureaucracy.
If the military thought this was a good idea, I'd probably defer to them. But our veterans aren't happy with the bill either. The American Legion believes the bill "is a misguided attempt to equate civil service with military service." I agree.
The American Legion is denouncing a bill the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on today allowing for payment of "expenses incident to the presentation of a (U.S.) flag" for civilians who are killed while working for the federal government.
The Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 (H.R. 2061) was introduced May 31 by Rep. Bill Hanna of New York. Noting that 3,000 federal employees have died since 1993, Hanna said, "Like members of the armed services, civilian federal employees are often in harm's way. Ours is a grateful nation, one that values the sacrifices made in honor of this country. A life can never be repaid, but it can be honored."
Fang Wong, newly elected national commander of the Legion, said the bill is a misguided attempt to equate civil service with military service.
"Congress needs to think twice before acting on this hastily written bill," Wong said. "Civil service workers do not sign a pledge to defend America with their lives, they are not forced to serve in combat zones, and their work routines do not include engaging enemy forces overseas."
The bill's advocates and the Committee of the Whole noted that presentation of a United States flag "is an appropriate way to honor Federal employees' contributions to the American public. The Committee believes these individuals are no less deserving of our respect than members of our armed forces." They point to legislation passed in 1993, allowing for civilians working with the military to be afforded the same privilege.
"This bill leaves far too much to be determined by a few individuals," said Tim Tetz, legislative director of The American Legion. "It allows agency heads to determine who may be eligible upon their deaths. It allows them to determine ‘next of kin.' It doesn't clearly identify associated costs, and it leaves far too much to be decided without any public feedback."
"We certainly respect the service and dedication of those who sign up for civil service," Wong said, "but these individuals pledge much less than our servicemembers and veterans. If federal employees die or are killed in service to America, they should be honored by a grateful nation. Just not in the same way as our military or veterans."
I understand that Rep. Hanna's office is meeting with the American Legion in order to draft some language that would address their concerns and a new vote on the bill has not yet been set.
There is still time to weigh in on the issue. If you believe this honor and tribute should be reserved to our military, be sure to call Congress and let them know: 202-224-3121.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Pres. Bush's Address to Joint Session of Congress on 9-20-2001
As we recall the events of 10 years ago, here is President George W. Bush's address to a joint session of Congress. It was delivered on Sept. 20, 2001 and the video is available at American Rhetoric, which also provided the text below.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. President Pro Tempore, members of Congress, and fellow Americans:
In the normal course of events, Presidents come to this chamber to report on the state of the Union. Tonight, no such report is needed. It has already been delivered by the American people.
We have seen it in the courage of passengers, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground -- passengers like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer. And would you please help me to welcome his wife, Lisa Beamer, here tonight. We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We've seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers -- in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own. My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union -- and it is strong.
Tonight we are a country awakened to danger and called to defend freedom. Our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done. I thank the Congress for its leadership at such an important time. All of America was touched on the evening of the tragedy to see Republicans and Democrats joined together on the steps of this Capitol, singing "God Bless America." And you did more than sing; you acted, by delivering 40 billion dollars to rebuild our communities and meet the needs of our military. Speaker Hastert, Minority Leader Gephardt, Majority Leader Daschle, and Senator Lott, I thank you for your friendship, for your leadership, and for your service to our country. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the world for its outpouring of support. America will never forget the sounds of our National Anthem playing at Buckingham Palace, on the streets of Paris, and at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.
We will not forget South Korean children gathering to pray outside our embassy in Seoul, or the prayers of sympathy offered at a mosque in Cairo. We will not forget moments of silence and days of mourning in Australia and Africa and Latin America. Nor will we forget the citizens of 80 other nations who died with our own: dozens of Pakistanis; more than 130 Israelis; more than 250 citizens of India; men and women from El Salvador, Iran, Mexico, and Japan; and hundreds of British citizens. America has no truer friend than Great Britain. Once again, we are joined together in a great cause -- so honored the British Prime Minister has crossed an ocean to show his unity with America. Thank you for coming, friend.
On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars -- but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war -- but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning. Americans have known surprise attacks -- but never before on thousands of civilians. All of this was brought upon us in a single day -- and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is under attack. Americans have many questions tonight. Americans are asking: Who attacked our country?The evidence we have gathered all points to a collection of loosely affiliated terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. They are some of the murderers indicted for bombing American embassies in Tanzania and Kenya, and responsible for bombing the USS Cole. Al Qaeda is to terror what the mafia is to crime. But its goal is not making money; its goal is remaking the world -- and imposing its radical beliefs on people everywhere.
The terrorists practice a fringe form of Islamic extremism that has been rejected by Muslim scholars and the vast majority of Muslim clerics, a fringe movement that perverts the peaceful teachings of Islam. The terrorists' directive commands them to kill Christians and Jews, to kill all Americans, and make no distinctions among military and civilians, including women and children. This group and its leader -- a person named Usama bin Laden -- are linked to many other organizations in different countries, including the Egyptian Islamic Jihad and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan. There are thousands of these terrorists in more than 60 countries. They are recruited from their own nations and neighborhoods and brought to camps in places like Afghanistan, where they are trained in the tactics of terror. They are sent back to their homes or sent to hide in countries around the world to plot evil and destruction.
The leadership of al Qaeda has great influence in Afghanistan and supports the Taliban regime in controlling most of that country. In Afghanistan, we see al Qaeda's vision for the world. Afghanistan's people have been brutalized; many are starving and many have fled. Women are not allowed to attend school. You can be jailed for owning a television. Religion can be practiced only as their leaders dictate. A man can be jailed in Afghanistan if his beard is not long enough.
The United States respects the people of Afghanistan. After all, we are currently its largest source of humanitarian aid; but we condemn the Taliban regime. It is not only repressing its own people, it is threatening people everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying terrorists. By aiding and abetting murder, the Taliban regime is committing murder.
And tonight, the United States of America makes the following demands on the Taliban: Deliver to United States authorities all the leaders of al Qaeda who hide in your land. Release all foreign nationals, including American citizens, you have unjustly imprisoned. Protect foreign journalists, diplomats, and aid workers in your country. Close immediately and permanently every terrorist training camp in Afghanistan, and hand over every terrorist, and every person in their support structure, to appropriate authorities. Give the United States full access to terrorist training camps, so we can make sure they are no longer operating. These demands are not open to negotiation or discussion. The Taliban must act, and act immediately. They will hand over the terrorists, or they will share in their fate.
I also want to speak tonight directly to Muslims throughout the world. We respect your faith. It's practiced freely by many millions of Americans, and by millions more in countries that America counts as friends. Its teachings are good and peaceful, and those who commit evil in the name of Allah blaspheme the name of Allah. The terrorists are traitors to their own faith, trying, in effect, to hijack Islam itself. The enemy of America is not our many Muslim friends; it is not our many Arab friends. Our enemy is a radical network of terrorists, and every government that supports them. Our war on terror begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated.
Americans are asking, why do they hate us? They hate what they see right here in this chamber -- a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms -- our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other. They want to overthrow existing governments in many Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. They want to drive Israel out of the Middle East. They want to drive Christians and Jews out of vast regions of Asia and Africa. These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. With every atrocity, they hope that America grows fearful, retreating from the world and forsaking our friends. They stand against us, because we stand in their way.
We are not deceived by their pretenses to piety. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of all the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions -- by abandoning every value except the will to power -- they follow in the path of fascism, Nazism, and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way, to where it ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies. Americans are asking: How will we fight and win this war? We will direct every resource at our command -- every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war -- to the disruption and to the defeat of the global terror network.
Now this war will not be like the war against Iraq a decade ago, with a decisive liberation of territory and a swift conclusion. It will not look like the air war above Kosovo two years ago, where no ground troops were used and not a single American was lost in combat. Our response involves far more than instant retaliation and isolated strikes. Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen. It may include dramatic strikes, visible on TV, and covert operations, secret even in success. We will starve terrorists of funding, turn them one against another, drive them from place to place, until there is no refuge or no rest. And we will pursue nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism. Every nation, in every region, now has a decision to make. Either you are with us, or you are with the terrorists. From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime.
Our nation has been put on notice: We're not immune from attack. We will take defensive measures against terrorism to protect Americans. Today, dozens of federal departments and agencies, as well as state and local governments, have responsibilities affecting homeland security. These efforts must be coordinated at the highest level. So tonight I announce the creation of a Cabinet-level position reporting directly to me -- the Office of Homeland Security. And tonight I also announce a distinguished American to lead this effort, to strengthen American security: a military veteran, an effective governor, a true patriot, a trusted friend -- Pennsylvania's Tom Ridge. He will lead, oversee, and coordinate a comprehensive national strategy to safeguard our country against terrorism, and respond to any attacks that may come.
These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows. Many will be involved in this effort, from FBI agents to intelligence operatives to the reservists we have called to active duty. All deserve our thanks, and all have our prayers. And tonight, a few miles from the damaged Pentagon, I have a message for our military: Be ready. I've called the Armed Forces to alert, and there is a reason. The hour is coming when America will act, and you will make us proud. This is not, however, just America's fight. And what is at stake is not just America's freedom. This is the world's fight. This is civilization's fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom.
We ask every nation to join us. We will ask, and we will need, the help of police forces, intelligence services, and banking systems around the world. The United States is grateful that many nations and many international organizations have already responded -- with sympathy and with support. Nations from Latin America, to Asia, to Africa, to Europe, to the Islamic world. Perhaps the NATO Charter reflects best the attitude of the world: An attack on one is an attack on all. The civilized world is rallying to America's side. They understand that if this terror goes unpunished, their own cities, their own citizens may be next. Terror, unanswered, can not only bring down buildings, it can threaten the stability of legitimate governments. And you know what? We're not going to allow it.
Americans are asking: What is expected of us? I ask you to live your lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears tonight, and I ask you to be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing threat. I ask you to uphold the values of America, and remember why so many have come here. We are in a fight for our principles, and our first responsibility is to live by them. No one should be singled out for unfair treatment or unkind words because of their ethnic background or religious faith. I ask you to continue to support the victims of this tragedy with your contributions. Those who want to give can go to a central source of information, libertyunites.org, to find the names of groups providing direct help in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The thousands of FBI agents who are now at work in this investigation may need your cooperation, and I ask you to give it. I ask for your patience, with the delays and inconveniences that may accompany tighter security; and for your patience in what will be a long struggle. I ask your continued participation and confidence in the American economy. Terrorists attacked a symbol of American prosperity. They did not touch its source. America is successful because of the hard work, and creativity, and enterprise of our people. These were the true strengths of our economy before September 11th, and they are our strengths today. And, finally, please continue praying for the victims of terror and their families, for those in uniform, and for our great country. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow, and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.
Tonight I thank my fellow Americans for what you have already done and for what you will do. And ladies and gentlemen of the Congress, I thank you, their representatives, for what you have already done and for what we will do together. Tonight, we face new and sudden national challenges. We will come together to improve air safety, to dramatically expand the number of air marshals on domestic flights, and take new measures to prevent hijacking. We will come together to promote stability and keep our airlines flying, with direct assistance during this emergency. We will come together to give law enforcement the additional tools it needs to track down terror here at home. We will come together to strengthen our intelligence capabilities to know the plans of terrorists before they act, and to find them before they strike.
We will come together to take active steps that strengthen America's economy, and put our people back to work. Tonight we welcome two leaders who embody the extraordinary spirit of all New Yorkers: Governor George Pataki, and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. As a symbol of America's resolve, my administration will work with Congress, and these two leaders, to show the world that we will rebuild New York City.
After all that has just passed -- all the lives taken, and all the possibilities and hopes that died with them -- it is natural to wonder if America's future is one of fear. Some speak of an age of terror. I know there are struggles ahead, and dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of terror; this will be an age of liberty, here and across the world.
Great harm has been done to us. We have suffered great loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom -- the great achievement of our time, and the great hope of every time -- now depends on us. Our nation, this generation will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.
It is my hope that in the months and years ahead, life will return almost to normal. We'll go back to our lives and routines, and that is good. Even grief recedes with time and grace. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came -- where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever.
And I will carry this: It is the police shield of a man named George Howard, who died at the World Trade Center trying to save others. It was given to me by his mom, Arlene, as a proud memorial to her son. This is my reminder of lives that ended, and a task that does not end. I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people. The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that God is not neutral between them.
Fellow citizens, we'll meet violence with patient justice -- assured of the rightness of our cause, and confident of the victories to come. In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America. Thank you.
Quotes of the Day - terrorists vs. liberty
As we remember what the terrorists did to us on this date 10 years ago, let us always be vigilent in protecting our liberties, for it is our liberty that they so despise:
"Times of tragedy and war naturally bring out strong emotions... Sometimes people are only too anxious to sacrifice their constitutional liberties during a crisis, hoping to gain some measure of security. Yet nothing would please terrorists more than if we willingly gave up our cherished liberties because of their actions." ~ Ron Paul
"19 terrorists in 6 weeks have been able to command 300 million North Americans to do away with the entirety of their civil liberties that took 700 years to advance from the Magna Carta onward. The terrorists have already won the political and ideological war with one terrorist act. It is mindboggling that we are that weak as a society." ~ Rocco Galati
"The people never give up their liberties, but under some delusion." ~ Edmund Burke
"Times of tragedy and war naturally bring out strong emotions... Sometimes people are only too anxious to sacrifice their constitutional liberties during a crisis, hoping to gain some measure of security. Yet nothing would please terrorists more than if we willingly gave up our cherished liberties because of their actions." ~ Ron Paul
"Farce, gross incompetence, and tragedy is the hallmark of big centralized government, wherever it develops. Big centralized government has developed in the United States year after year since the 1930s, and it has both solidified and metastasized since 9-11. Today, we live at the will and by the grace of a dystopian and grasping government. There is not an exceptional amount of time left before this government collapses, but before it does, we the people will suffer far more than we have suffered to date. Banking collapses, mortgage fraud at the highest levels, government bailouts, currency printing, and inflation in food and energy are just a foretaste of the future, led by the same Washington public-private cartel we have suffered for decades. . . .
"I believe our government -- outdated, unrestrained by the Constitution and soon to default on every debt it has taken on in our name -- cannot long endure. But unlike those who run and benefit from our modern American nationalism, corporatism and socialism, I do not fear average Americans seeking self-government, rule of law and liberty.
"That's why on Sept. 11, I will not be celebrating America's undeclared wars on countries that had nothing to do with the Sept. 11 attacks 10 years ago. I will not be attending remembrances of victims of that day, because those remembrances refuse to count American liberty, rule of law and freedom of trade and movement uppermost on that list of the sacrificed. I will not attend any program offered by a religious or political organization that seeks to ride a federal government bandwagon to confirm some imperative of war against Islam halfway around the world, or that seeks to promote the false concept of a culture war as somehow God's intent for America.
"On this 10-year anniversary, I intend to go about my business as usual, and say a prayer of gratitude for the small freedoms I have left. In the afternoon, I'll be in Charlottesville, Va., learning about local apprenticeship and crafts demonstrations. In the evening, I'll check the livestock and gather the eggs. I won't allow what I personally experienced that day in the Pentagon, nor the subsequent government drumbeats for war, waving the Sept. 11 banner, to diminish my awareness of the meaning of liberty. . . .
"The real battle for Americans today is a battle to reassert our independence from an overbearing and unsustainable state. Today, we can all celebrate that there are fundamental cracks in the federal state's veneer, and we can be grateful for the options we still have in our own lives to live free, to practice charity and faith, creativity and productivity and to rediscover our own power as individuals and communities." ~ Karen Kwiatkowski, retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, included duties as Pentagon desk officer and a variety of roles for the National Security Agency, author, columnist
"19 terrorists in 6 weeks have been able to command 300 million North Americans to do away with the entirety of their civil liberties that took 700 years to advance from the Magna Carta onward. The terrorists have already won the political and ideological war with one terrorist act. It is mindboggling that we are that weak as a society." ~ Rocco Galati
"Be not intimidated... nor suffer yourselves to be wheedled out of your liberties by any pretense of politeness, delicacy, or decency. These, as they are often used, are but three different names for hypocrisy, chicanery and cowardice." ~ John Adams
"The people never give up their liberties, but under some delusion." ~ Edmund Burke
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Today in History
On September 10, 1813, the American Naval force commanded by Oliver Hazard Perry (later a Commodore) defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
At the beginning of the battle, Perry said:
At the end, his battle report to General William Henry Harrison was rather brief, resulting in words that are now famous, though the listing of vessels is usually left off:
This was a decisive victory, but not just for the success of the U.S. in the overall war effort. It marked the first time in history that an entire British naval squadron had surrendered.
Perry was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress. He also received a promotion to Captain as a result.
Today, a monument at Put-In-Bay bears his name. The National Park Service operates the Perry Memorial and Peace Monument which "was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. The Memorial, a Doric column, rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world."
At the beginning of the battle, Perry said:
"If a victory is to be gained, I will gain it."
At the end, his battle report to General William Henry Harrison was rather brief, resulting in words that are now famous, though the listing of vessels is usually left off:
"We have met the enemy and they are ours; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop."
This was a decisive victory, but not just for the success of the U.S. in the overall war effort. It marked the first time in history that an entire British naval squadron had surrendered.
Perry was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal and the Thanks of Congress. He also received a promotion to Captain as a result.
Today, a monument at Put-In-Bay bears his name. The National Park Service operates the Perry Memorial and Peace Monument which "was established to honor those who fought in the Battle of Lake Erie, during the War of 1812, and to celebrate the long-lasting peace between Britain, Canada and the U.S. The Memorial, a Doric column, rising 352 feet over Lake Erie is situated 5 miles from the longest undefended border in the world."
Pres. Bush's Address to the Nation on 9-11-01
As we remember the terrorists' actions 10 years ago and the bravery of the American people, I thought it fitting to go back to the words of President George W. Bush as he addressed the nation from the Oval Office on that day. If you'd like to see the video, it is available at American Rhetoric, which also provided the text below.
"A Great People Has Been Moved to Defend a Great Nation"
Good evening.
Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington D.C. to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.
The search is underway for those who were behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night. And God bless America.
Friday, September 09, 2011
Obama's 'jobs' speech: second verse, same as the first
This is an exceptionally long post, but I hope you'll read through to the end and then click on the links to some other perspectives.
As I've previously explained, I don't watch President Barack Obama when he gives a speech. I read it afterward - and if you preferred reruns and football last night, the complete text is available here.
I did, however, hear parts of it. And while I admit I may have taken some of the tone out of context, what I heard came across as angry and demanding. It sounded like a petulant child who hasn't gotten his way and is demanding an unreasonable action. It did not sound presidential - and failed to do what it promised: lay out a plan to move the nation forward.
Oh, it had 'ideas,' but the most critical part of any idea is the implementation and, in this regard, the President failed miserably. He took several weeks to put together his 'plan' and then told us he'll let us know how in the world he's going to pay for all his grand ideas. Of course, he's not going to develop the funding plan - except to tax the rich like he always wants to do - he's pushing that off on the 'super committee' charged with finding ways to cut the budget. He assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the actual implementation - hardly what you'd expect of a leader.
Additionally, throughout his speech he gives clear evidence that his 'solutions' are not going to work - not just because they're exactly what he did with the first stimulus, but because he starts with an incorrect premise. And when you start with an incorrect premise, you cannot help but arrive at the wrong conclusions - or, in this case, a 'jobs' plan that won't really result in sustained job growth.
So let's get started with what he actually said (in order, but not his complete speech):
I don't really think we have a political crisis - we have political wrangling and divergent philosophies. Disagreement as to best way to address a problem is what our nation is all about and disagreement does not equal crisis. In fact, it isn't the 'political crisis' which has made things worse. No - it's the policies of this President that have given us increased unemployment (despite claims that it would remain under 8%), increased spending, increased debt, increased regulations that cost us a fortune, increased mandates that limit our freedoms and no certainty as to what is to come which results in a lack of confidence from the business community - the very people we rely upon to actually create the jobs Obama says he wants.
And it's interesting that he knows what the reporters are asking - and that he believes it's all about him. Narcissistic, perhaps?
Obama's basic misunderstanding of America and its history is astounding. Our nation isn't one where 'everyone gets a fair shake and does their fair share.' Where does he get such distorted ideas?
Our nation is one where what you accomplish is up to you. You can be whatever you want to be - if you work hard and are persistent. Our constitution guarantees equality under the law - not equal outcomes. Our nation rewards those who work harder than others. In fact, if our founders were interested only in doing their 'fair share,' I doubt our nation would have survived.
Our nation is not a collective. It has been successful as a whole because individuals have been successful.
And he seems to have so little expectations for Americans - as if all we want in life is to do a job, be loyal to our employer and maybe get a raise once in a while. Is that all Americans want for themselves? Perhaps George W. Bush's phrase should be brought out again: the bigotry of low expectations. I don't know about you, but my goal for my life is more than to just labor at a job hoping to maybe get a raise once in a while.
While I can certainly agree that the politicians in Washington rarely put the interests of their constituents first, I take great exception to the characterization that we are victims. Of course, when you grow up the philosophy that the only reason you're not successful is because someone is preventing you from being such, it's only reasonable to think of everyone as a victim - and to treat them accordingly. And unless you're a victim, you don't need these wiser, smarter, better people to 'save' you.
If Obama truly wanted to stop the "political circus" he would have denounced the recent threat by Jimmy Hoffa; repudiated Rep. Maxine Waters saying the "tea party can go straight to hell", and rebuked Rep. Andre Carson's for saying that some of us want 'blacks hanging on a tree.'
Mr. President, your actions speak louder than your words.
And again, he reveals his complete and total lack of understanding about America. Our nation has not been defined, from the beginning, by 'fairness and security.' Our founders did not create a nation in which things would all be 'fair' - they clearly recognized that, while we are all created equal, what we make of ourselves is up to each of us and when some work harder than others, there will be different outcomes. I cannot help but wonder where Obama got such a twisted and distorted view.
He is absolutely right - politicians in Washington cannot solve all our woes - and we don't expect them to. And the economic recovery will be driven by businesses - they are the only ones who can actually create jobs and create wealth (there is a difference). But Obama routinely demonizes businesses - different ones and different industries...a contradiction he fails to address and the main stream media continually ignores.
And yes, Washington can help and there are steps they can take. But his purpose - 'to improve people's lives' - is wrong. Here is his incorrect premise. The majority of us don't look to Washington to improve our lives - we're perfectly capable of doing that on our own, if Washington would just get out of the way. No, we look to Washington to take care of our national defense, to regulate commerce between the states and with other nations - to do the thing detailed in the Constitution. Much of our problems today are a direct result of D.C. politicians thinking they can - and should - take care of us.
I really don't get his urgency. If he needed Congress to rush this, why did he wait until after his vacation to present it? Also, shouldn't Congress do what we hired them to do - read it, deliberate, consider consequences, think of unintended outcomes, evaluate and then decide? Isn't that why we sent them to Congress in the first place?
Or does Obama believe they should hurry up and pass the bill in order to find out what's in it???
Again with the incorrect premise... Obama thinks that the way to address our economic issues to have people work and earn money. Actually, that is the outcome of economic activity - not the impetus. If we could solve our economic problems by just hiring and paying people, then we might as well hire a whole bunch of people to dig holes - with spoons - and then hire a bunch more to fill the holes - also with spoons. Just think of how many people will employed then!
The jobs he wants to 'create' are government jobs - teachers and government contracts for public works - most of which will end up going to unions who support him. What a surprise!
The payroll taxes he wants to cut are actually the Social Security taxes. While I certainly believe businesses pay too much in taxes in general (despite instances of some companies not paying anything at all - see below comment when Obama mentions Warren Buffet), I must question their logic of cutting the amount going to Social Security when the same people supporting this move are also talking about increasing Social Security taxes because the fund is broke! You cannot have it both ways. Well, perhaps they believe they can.
Obama says his bill will "give companies confidence that if they invest and if they hire, there will be customers." There is no way government - and certainly not a particular bill - can do this!!! No company is going to hire a person unless they actually need the worker. To do otherwise is fiscally irresponsible and just plain stupid. And business owners responsible for making such hiring decisions aren't going to just believe Obama when he says, "trust me - my bill will provide you with customers."
Obama's complete lack of understanding about how a business works, what motivates them and why decide to purchase equipment and hire people is just too evident to anyone who has ever been in business. Again, with an incorrect premise: that if companies would just hire people, all the problems will be solved.
It's simplistic thinking - we don't have enough people employed so the solution is just to have companies employ them. My head hurts just thinking about this!
See? If you will hire someone, we'll give you a tax cut - $1,600. Yippee!!! What Obama and his administration fail to understand is that the costs of bringing on another employee must be less than what you think that employee will give you in profits - otherwise, it makes no sense to hire someone. And a $1,600 tax break pales in comparison to the additional costs of Obamacare, plans to raise taxes in others areas, regulations and new requirements coming from the EPA, OSHA, the NLRB, etc...
And do you remember all the demonizing of the corporate jet owners??? I didn't see the main stream media (MSM) questioning him on his original vote in favor of this particular tax break and now it seems his plan to continue letting businesses write off 'investments' would continue the corporate jet tax break. Does he never see his own contradictions? Don't his staff people tell him about these things? Is he so arrogant to believe no one will notice?
Well, maybe, since the MSM are so reluctant to do anything that might cast him in a negative light.
This is another stimulus - no matter what he calls it. He made a joke about the last 'shovel-ready' infrastructure plan and now he wants to do the same thing. He apparently has no clue about the rules, regulations, time frames, requirements, etc... of doing such projects if he thinks they can all get under way right away. And exactly how much of the last stimulus is still waiting to be spent???
But what upsets me the most is his comparison of America to China. China is a communist country with a communist mindset when it comes to economics. Why in the world would we want to duplicate what they are doing?!?
Umm....We don't need this in Ohio. Ohio passed its own school modernization program with tobacco lawsuit settlement monies. We matched those funds with our local taxes specifically for the building a new schools. So how, exactly, will a plan to duplicate what we've already done help Ohio? It won't. It will suck our tax dollars out of our state and send it to other states where either the politicians or the tax payers have decided NOT to make such investments.
So much for the idea of 'fairness.'
In community after community, state after state, schools are making decisions to reduce both their size and the costs. Their primary expenditure is in salaries and benefits. The teachers unions - supporters of Obama - are the problem, yet this plan will reward those unions by keeping their members employed despite the wishes of the local communities. This is just plain wrong.
A tax credit for hiring veterans is not a bad idea - probably one that will garner support from all.
Unemployment among youth (teens, actually) was 25.4% (almost 49% for African-Americans teens and 35% for Hispanic youth). And why is unemployment among the teens so high? It's not just because of the recession. No, it's because they cost more than what they are worth. For the most part, they are unskilled and inexperienced. The minimum wage - what they must be paid under law - has been increased beyond their value to a company, resulting in their high rates of unemployment. Couple that with a recession where you have more skilled and experienced workers out of work and available to take jobs that would have otherwise gone to the teens and you have record unemployment.
The solution for this is not to pay companies to hire the teens - it's to make them attractive to employers overall which means that companies need to be able to pay them what they're worth.
As for their parents, the policies of this president and his party have done nothing but keep the poor mired in poverty; they are 'taught' that it's not their fault they're poor and that they are victims who can only 'make good' by electing Democrats who would rather have them dependent upon the government for largesse than have them independent and successful where they might actually realize that Democrats don't really have their best interests at heart.
Again, actions speak louder than words and good intentions are not enough to ensure positive outcomes.
The plan calls for $4,000 to anyone who hires a person out of work for more than six months. Again with the wrong premise - that companies just need to hire people, regardless of their need. Obama's plan, in an attempt to address the long-term unemployed, wants to subsidize their employment. But why are they unemployed for so long? Are they less skilled than their competitors? Are they less capable? Are they comfortable in continuing to be on unemployment compensation because it gives them more than what they could make by taking a job?
I think that the last point is it - but then Obama contradicts his own plan by extending unemployment insurance. It's already around two years now - just how long is it that we pay people to not work? And if it's bad now, what will happen when the government no longer grants the extension?
What happened in the past? Well, people went out and actually got jobs. They didn't always get a job that paid them the same - most often it was less. But they didn't stay in that lesser pay for very long - no one really does. They either gained new skilled or more experience, became more valuable and then went on to something better. Was it difficult for their families? Yes - for a while - but that plan is so much better than the contradictory plan presented by Obama which only extends the problem.
And how will he pay for all of this? He doesn't know - he's abdicating the responsibility for funding his plan to the super committee:
What a plan! Oh - and tax the rich!
How much more should these wealthy people pay? They already pay half of what the nation collects despite the fact that they don't represent half the population. And he cannot tax those 'wealthy' people enough to address all the spending he's done so far, much less this additional amount.
As for Warren Buffet - perhaps Obama could just tell him the address of the U.S. Treasury and ask him to send a check? If Buffett (and others) are so keen to pay more taxes, there's nothing stopping them from writing a check. Of course, they pay accountants tons of money to avoid taxes in the first place, so maybe they could fire all those accounts and just fill in the 1040EZ and take no deductions. Better yet, how about if Buffett just has his company pay his back taxes - $1 billion dating back to 2002?!?
But Obama doesn't really want a tax code where "everyone gets a fair shake and where everybody pays their fair share." No, what he advocates just before that sentence is a direct contradiction. The rich should pay more because they can 'afford' to. The rich can also 'afford' to spend more for medical care and somehow that's not fair, but being able to 'afford' to pay more in taxes is???
A 'fair' tax code wouldn't expect some to pay while others don't, nor would it take from some to give to others. That's not 'fair' by any definition of the word.
First, I don't want an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs - I want one that creates all kinds of jobs - lower-, middle- and upper-class ones. I want a thriving economy that has jobs for all skill levels. My goal isn't to just have a good middle class position, but to excel. Why does he have such mediocre 'hopes' for us?
Then there is the incorrect premise: that is business is to stay here in America, we have to out-build, out-educate and out-innovate other countries. Actually, what's encouraging companies to locate in other nations has nothing to do with education, building and innovation; it has everything to do with being able to make a profit. If a company can make more money for its shareholders (most of whom are middle-class workers who have their retirement funds and pensions invested in such companies) by going overseas, it will do so. There is also the logistics to consider. Many companies want to have a manufacturing presence in countries where they sell their products. This is both logical and profitable from a public relations standpoint as well as from a fiscal one.
Despite three years of demonizing businesses he now wants to work side-by-side with them? I doubt many businesses are going to believe he's sincere. As for a Jobs Council - most companies don't need a government committee to tell them how to grow and create jobs; they just need government to get out of their way so they can do what they know they need to do.
First, conservatives, Republicans, tea party groups and members do NOT want to "dismantle government." We believe in a limited government - not an absence of government. We don't want to "refund everybody's money" - we believe that government takes too much of our own money to spend in ways we wouldn't and for things the federal government has no authority to do and would rather let people keep their money to spend as they want. I mean, really - does a tea pot museum really deserve national tax dollars???
Second, he's wrong because a limited government with taxes only sufficient to support that limited government is exactly who we are! And that IS the story of America.
Another incorrect premise: that if government hadn't done these things, none of them would have happened. Yet, we have plenty of private schools and universities, people build roads and bridges long before the federal government started to do so and people have been finding a way to go to college long before the federal government started subsidizing it.
As for the last two questions...
... all I can say is 'wow!' We all know he believes there is nothing sacred about the limits placed on our government by our constitution, but this blatant, outright disregard for the document he swore to preserve, protect and defend is just unbelievable! Our constitution is not just some 'rigid idea' - it is the defining document that grants authority to the government for specific tasks, recognizing that it is 'we the people' who are supposed to be in control - not some far-off bureaucracy with the unlimited power to do whatever it sees fit.
Again, how is he so very wrong?
The President also says he wants to "listen to every good proposal, no matter which party comes up with it." Well, here's an idea: lift the moratorium on oil drilling. The American Petroleum Institute said lifting restrictions could allow them to create 1,000,000 jobs - actual jobs that don't rely upon government funding to exist. How's that for a job plan?
But since the President hates the oil industry (at least publicly despite accepting campaign donations from them), I doubt this will be one of those ideas he wants to 'listen' to.
In the end, the plan he put forth is just more of the same: nothing new in terms of policies, philosophies or actual substance; no funding plan; more class warfare pitting rich against poor; more politicking despite claiming not to be; and nothing different in terms of the last stimulus which failed miserably.
It's just the second verse, same as the first - and the outcome will also be the same.
Some other perspectives on the speech:
Warner Todd Huston's "Live Tweeting Obama's Job Speech: More Big Government Boondoggles"
Leslie Carbone's "Same Scheme, Different Speech"
Ken Marrero's "Congress Should Not Pass American Jobs Act, it Should Just Pass"
David McElroy's "Trusting Obama to create jobs is like trusting an arsonist to put out fires"
Ed Morrissey's "Which word was missing from Obama's speech last night?"
Ed Morrissey's "AP fact check skewers Porkulus II: Economic Boogaloo speech"
Wall Street Journal Editorial: The Latest Jobs Plan
As I've previously explained, I don't watch President Barack Obama when he gives a speech. I read it afterward - and if you preferred reruns and football last night, the complete text is available here.
I did, however, hear parts of it. And while I admit I may have taken some of the tone out of context, what I heard came across as angry and demanding. It sounded like a petulant child who hasn't gotten his way and is demanding an unreasonable action. It did not sound presidential - and failed to do what it promised: lay out a plan to move the nation forward.
Oh, it had 'ideas,' but the most critical part of any idea is the implementation and, in this regard, the President failed miserably. He took several weeks to put together his 'plan' and then told us he'll let us know how in the world he's going to pay for all his grand ideas. Of course, he's not going to develop the funding plan - except to tax the rich like he always wants to do - he's pushing that off on the 'super committee' charged with finding ways to cut the budget. He assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the actual implementation - hardly what you'd expect of a leader.
Additionally, throughout his speech he gives clear evidence that his 'solutions' are not going to work - not just because they're exactly what he did with the first stimulus, but because he starts with an incorrect premise. And when you start with an incorrect premise, you cannot help but arrive at the wrong conclusions - or, in this case, a 'jobs' plan that won't really result in sustained job growth.
So let's get started with what he actually said (in order, but not his complete speech):
Tonight we meet at an urgent time for our country. We continue to face an economic crisis that has left millions of our neighbors jobless, and a political crisis that’s made things worse.
This past week, reporters have been asking, “What will this speech mean for the President? What will it mean for Congress? How will it affect their polls, and the next election?”
I don't really think we have a political crisis - we have political wrangling and divergent philosophies. Disagreement as to best way to address a problem is what our nation is all about and disagreement does not equal crisis. In fact, it isn't the 'political crisis' which has made things worse. No - it's the policies of this President that have given us increased unemployment (despite claims that it would remain under 8%), increased spending, increased debt, increased regulations that cost us a fortune, increased mandates that limit our freedoms and no certainty as to what is to come which results in a lack of confidence from the business community - the very people we rely upon to actually create the jobs Obama says he wants.
And it's interesting that he knows what the reporters are asking - and that he believes it's all about him. Narcissistic, perhaps?
But the millions of Americans who are watching right now, they don’t care about politics. They have real-life concerns. Many have spent months looking for work. Others are doing their best just to scrape by -- giving up nights out with the family to save on gas or make the mortgage; postponing retirement to send a kid to college.
These men and women grew up with faith in an America where hard work and responsibility paid off. They believed in a country where everyone gets a fair shake and does their fair share -- where if you stepped up, did your job, and were loyal to your company, that loyalty would be rewarded with a decent salary and good benefits; maybe a raise once in a while. If you did the right thing, you could make it. Anybody could make it in America.
Obama's basic misunderstanding of America and its history is astounding. Our nation isn't one where 'everyone gets a fair shake and does their fair share.' Where does he get such distorted ideas?
Our nation is one where what you accomplish is up to you. You can be whatever you want to be - if you work hard and are persistent. Our constitution guarantees equality under the law - not equal outcomes. Our nation rewards those who work harder than others. In fact, if our founders were interested only in doing their 'fair share,' I doubt our nation would have survived.
Our nation is not a collective. It has been successful as a whole because individuals have been successful.
And he seems to have so little expectations for Americans - as if all we want in life is to do a job, be loyal to our employer and maybe get a raise once in a while. Is that all Americans want for themselves? Perhaps George W. Bush's phrase should be brought out again: the bigotry of low expectations. I don't know about you, but my goal for my life is more than to just labor at a job hoping to maybe get a raise once in a while.
For decades now, Americans have watched that compact erode. They have seen the decks too often stacked against them. And they know that Washington has not always put their interests first.
While I can certainly agree that the politicians in Washington rarely put the interests of their constituents first, I take great exception to the characterization that we are victims. Of course, when you grow up the philosophy that the only reason you're not successful is because someone is preventing you from being such, it's only reasonable to think of everyone as a victim - and to treat them accordingly. And unless you're a victim, you don't need these wiser, smarter, better people to 'save' you.
The people of this country work hard to meet their responsibilities. The question tonight is whether we’ll meet ours. The question is whether, in the face of an ongoing national crisis, we can stop the political circus and actually do something to help the economy. (Applause.) The question is -- the question is whether we can restore some of the fairness and security that has defined this nation since our beginning.
If Obama truly wanted to stop the "political circus" he would have denounced the recent threat by Jimmy Hoffa; repudiated Rep. Maxine Waters saying the "tea party can go straight to hell", and rebuked Rep. Andre Carson's for saying that some of us want 'blacks hanging on a tree.'
Mr. President, your actions speak louder than your words.
And again, he reveals his complete and total lack of understanding about America. Our nation has not been defined, from the beginning, by 'fairness and security.' Our founders did not create a nation in which things would all be 'fair' - they clearly recognized that, while we are all created equal, what we make of ourselves is up to each of us and when some work harder than others, there will be different outcomes. I cannot help but wonder where Obama got such a twisted and distorted view.
Those of us here tonight can’t solve all our nation’s woes. Ultimately, our recovery will be driven not by Washington, but by our businesses and our workers. But we can help. We can make a difference. There are steps we can take right now to improve people’s lives.
He is absolutely right - politicians in Washington cannot solve all our woes - and we don't expect them to. And the economic recovery will be driven by businesses - they are the only ones who can actually create jobs and create wealth (there is a difference). But Obama routinely demonizes businesses - different ones and different industries...a contradiction he fails to address and the main stream media continually ignores.
And yes, Washington can help and there are steps they can take. But his purpose - 'to improve people's lives' - is wrong. Here is his incorrect premise. The majority of us don't look to Washington to improve our lives - we're perfectly capable of doing that on our own, if Washington would just get out of the way. No, we look to Washington to take care of our national defense, to regulate commerce between the states and with other nations - to do the thing detailed in the Constitution. Much of our problems today are a direct result of D.C. politicians thinking they can - and should - take care of us.
I am sending this Congress a plan that you should pass right away. It’s called the American Jobs Act. There should be nothing controversial about this piece of legislation. Everything in here is the kind of proposal that’s been supported by both Democrats and Republicans -- including many who sit here tonight. And everything in this bill will be paid for. Everything. (Applause.)
I really don't get his urgency. If he needed Congress to rush this, why did he wait until after his vacation to present it? Also, shouldn't Congress do what we hired them to do - read it, deliberate, consider consequences, think of unintended outcomes, evaluate and then decide? Isn't that why we sent them to Congress in the first place?
Or does Obama believe they should hurry up and pass the bill in order to find out what's in it???
The purpose of the American Jobs Act is simple: to put more people back to work and more money in the pockets of those who are working. It will create more jobs for construction workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs for veterans, and more jobs for long-term unemployed. (Applause.) It will provide -- it will provide a tax break for companies who hire new workers, and it will cut payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business. (Applause.) It will provide a jolt to an economy that has stalled, and give companies confidence that if they invest and if they hire, there will be customers for their products and services. You should pass this jobs plan right away. (Applause.)
Again with the incorrect premise... Obama thinks that the way to address our economic issues to have people work and earn money. Actually, that is the outcome of economic activity - not the impetus. If we could solve our economic problems by just hiring and paying people, then we might as well hire a whole bunch of people to dig holes - with spoons - and then hire a bunch more to fill the holes - also with spoons. Just think of how many people will employed then!
The jobs he wants to 'create' are government jobs - teachers and government contracts for public works - most of which will end up going to unions who support him. What a surprise!
The payroll taxes he wants to cut are actually the Social Security taxes. While I certainly believe businesses pay too much in taxes in general (despite instances of some companies not paying anything at all - see below comment when Obama mentions Warren Buffet), I must question their logic of cutting the amount going to Social Security when the same people supporting this move are also talking about increasing Social Security taxes because the fund is broke! You cannot have it both ways. Well, perhaps they believe they can.
Obama says his bill will "give companies confidence that if they invest and if they hire, there will be customers." There is no way government - and certainly not a particular bill - can do this!!! No company is going to hire a person unless they actually need the worker. To do otherwise is fiscally irresponsible and just plain stupid. And business owners responsible for making such hiring decisions aren't going to just believe Obama when he says, "trust me - my bill will provide you with customers."
Obama's complete lack of understanding about how a business works, what motivates them and why decide to purchase equipment and hire people is just too evident to anyone who has ever been in business. Again, with an incorrect premise: that if companies would just hire people, all the problems will be solved.
It's simplistic thinking - we don't have enough people employed so the solution is just to have companies employ them. My head hurts just thinking about this!
Pass this jobs bill -- pass this jobs bill, and starting tomorrow, small businesses will get a tax cut if they hire new workers or if they raise workers’ wages. Pass this jobs bill, and all small business owners will also see their payroll taxes cut in half next year. (Applause.) If you have 50 employees -- if you have 50 employees making an average salary, that’s an $80,000 tax cut. And all businesses will be able to continue writing off the investments they make in 2012.
See? If you will hire someone, we'll give you a tax cut - $1,600. Yippee!!! What Obama and his administration fail to understand is that the costs of bringing on another employee must be less than what you think that employee will give you in profits - otherwise, it makes no sense to hire someone. And a $1,600 tax break pales in comparison to the additional costs of Obamacare, plans to raise taxes in others areas, regulations and new requirements coming from the EPA, OSHA, the NLRB, etc...
And do you remember all the demonizing of the corporate jet owners??? I didn't see the main stream media (MSM) questioning him on his original vote in favor of this particular tax break and now it seems his plan to continue letting businesses write off 'investments' would continue the corporate jet tax break. Does he never see his own contradictions? Don't his staff people tell him about these things? Is he so arrogant to believe no one will notice?
Well, maybe, since the MSM are so reluctant to do anything that might cast him in a negative light.
Pass this jobs bill, and we can put people to work rebuilding America. Everyone here knows we have badly decaying roads and bridges all over the country. Our highways are clogged with traffic. Our skies are the most congested in the world. It’s an outrage.
Building a world-class transportation system is part of what made us a economic superpower. And now we’re going to sit back and watch China build newer airports and faster railroads? At a time when millions of unemployed construction workers could build them right here in America? (Applause.)
There are private construction companies all across America just waiting to get to work. There’s a bridge that needs repair between Ohio and Kentucky that’s on one of the busiest trucking routes in North America. A public transit project in Houston that will help clear up one of the worst areas of traffic in the country. And there are schools throughout this country that desperately need renovating. How can we expect our kids to do their best in places that are literally falling apart? This is America. Every child deserves a great school -- and we can give it to them, if we act now. (Applause.)
This is another stimulus - no matter what he calls it. He made a joke about the last 'shovel-ready' infrastructure plan and now he wants to do the same thing. He apparently has no clue about the rules, regulations, time frames, requirements, etc... of doing such projects if he thinks they can all get under way right away. And exactly how much of the last stimulus is still waiting to be spent???
But what upsets me the most is his comparison of America to China. China is a communist country with a communist mindset when it comes to economics. Why in the world would we want to duplicate what they are doing?!?
The American Jobs Act will repair and modernize at least 35,000 schools. It will put people to work right now fixing roofs and windows, installing science labs and high-speed Internet in classrooms all across this country.
Umm....We don't need this in Ohio. Ohio passed its own school modernization program with tobacco lawsuit settlement monies. We matched those funds with our local taxes specifically for the building a new schools. So how, exactly, will a plan to duplicate what we've already done help Ohio? It won't. It will suck our tax dollars out of our state and send it to other states where either the politicians or the tax payers have decided NOT to make such investments.
So much for the idea of 'fairness.'
Pass this jobs bill, and thousands of teachers in every state will go back to work. These are the men and women charged with preparing our children for a world where the competition has never been tougher. But while they’re adding teachers in places like South Korea, we’re laying them off in droves. It’s unfair to our kids. It undermines their future and ours. And it has to stop. Pass this bill, and put our teachers back in the classroom where they belong. (Applause.)
In community after community, state after state, schools are making decisions to reduce both their size and the costs. Their primary expenditure is in salaries and benefits. The teachers unions - supporters of Obama - are the problem, yet this plan will reward those unions by keeping their members employed despite the wishes of the local communities. This is just plain wrong.
Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get extra tax credits if they hire America’s veterans.
...
Pass this bill, and hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged young people will have the hope and the dignity of a summer job next year. And their parents -- (applause) -- their parents, low-income Americans who desperately want to work, will have more ladders out of poverty.
...
Pass this jobs bill, and companies will get a $4,000 tax credit if they hire anyone who has spent more than six months looking for a job. (Applause.)
...
The plan also extends unemployment insurance for another year. (Applause.) If the millions of unemployed Americans stopped getting this insurance, and stopped using that money for basic necessities, it would be a devastating blow to this economy.
...
Pass this jobs bill, and the typical working family will get a $1,500 tax cut next year.
A tax credit for hiring veterans is not a bad idea - probably one that will garner support from all.
Unemployment among youth (teens, actually) was 25.4% (almost 49% for African-Americans teens and 35% for Hispanic youth). And why is unemployment among the teens so high? It's not just because of the recession. No, it's because they cost more than what they are worth. For the most part, they are unskilled and inexperienced. The minimum wage - what they must be paid under law - has been increased beyond their value to a company, resulting in their high rates of unemployment. Couple that with a recession where you have more skilled and experienced workers out of work and available to take jobs that would have otherwise gone to the teens and you have record unemployment.
The solution for this is not to pay companies to hire the teens - it's to make them attractive to employers overall which means that companies need to be able to pay them what they're worth.
As for their parents, the policies of this president and his party have done nothing but keep the poor mired in poverty; they are 'taught' that it's not their fault they're poor and that they are victims who can only 'make good' by electing Democrats who would rather have them dependent upon the government for largesse than have them independent and successful where they might actually realize that Democrats don't really have their best interests at heart.
Again, actions speak louder than words and good intentions are not enough to ensure positive outcomes.
The plan calls for $4,000 to anyone who hires a person out of work for more than six months. Again with the wrong premise - that companies just need to hire people, regardless of their need. Obama's plan, in an attempt to address the long-term unemployed, wants to subsidize their employment. But why are they unemployed for so long? Are they less skilled than their competitors? Are they less capable? Are they comfortable in continuing to be on unemployment compensation because it gives them more than what they could make by taking a job?
I think that the last point is it - but then Obama contradicts his own plan by extending unemployment insurance. It's already around two years now - just how long is it that we pay people to not work? And if it's bad now, what will happen when the government no longer grants the extension?
What happened in the past? Well, people went out and actually got jobs. They didn't always get a job that paid them the same - most often it was less. But they didn't stay in that lesser pay for very long - no one really does. They either gained new skilled or more experience, became more valuable and then went on to something better. Was it difficult for their families? Yes - for a while - but that plan is so much better than the contradictory plan presented by Obama which only extends the problem.
And how will he pay for all of this? He doesn't know - he's abdicating the responsibility for funding his plan to the super committee:
The agreement we passed in July will cut government spending by about $1 trillion over the next 10 years. It also charges this Congress to come up with an additional $1.5 trillion in savings by Christmas. Tonight, I am asking you to increase that amount so that it covers the full cost of the American Jobs Act. And a week from Monday, I’ll be releasing a more ambitious deficit plan -- a plan that will not only cover the cost of this jobs bill, but stabilize our debt in the long run. (Applause.)
What a plan! Oh - and tax the rich!
I am also -- I’m also well aware that there are many Republicans who don’t believe we should raise taxes on those who are most fortunate and can best afford it. But here is what every American knows: While most people in this country struggle to make ends meet, a few of the most affluent citizens and most profitable corporations enjoy tax breaks and loopholes that nobody else gets. Right now, Warren Buffett pays a lower tax rate than his secretary -- an outrage he has asked us to fix. (Laughter.) We need a tax code where everyone gets a fair shake and where everybody pays their fair share. (Applause.) And by the way, I believe the vast majority of wealthy Americans and CEOs are willing to do just that if it helps the economy grow and gets our fiscal house in order.
How much more should these wealthy people pay? They already pay half of what the nation collects despite the fact that they don't represent half the population. And he cannot tax those 'wealthy' people enough to address all the spending he's done so far, much less this additional amount.
As for Warren Buffet - perhaps Obama could just tell him the address of the U.S. Treasury and ask him to send a check? If Buffett (and others) are so keen to pay more taxes, there's nothing stopping them from writing a check. Of course, they pay accountants tons of money to avoid taxes in the first place, so maybe they could fire all those accounts and just fill in the 1040EZ and take no deductions. Better yet, how about if Buffett just has his company pay his back taxes - $1 billion dating back to 2002?!?
But Obama doesn't really want a tax code where "everyone gets a fair shake and where everybody pays their fair share." No, what he advocates just before that sentence is a direct contradiction. The rich should pay more because they can 'afford' to. The rich can also 'afford' to spend more for medical care and somehow that's not fair, but being able to 'afford' to pay more in taxes is???
A 'fair' tax code wouldn't expect some to pay while others don't, nor would it take from some to give to others. That's not 'fair' by any definition of the word.
Now, the American Jobs Act answers the urgent need to create jobs right away. But we can’t stop there. As I’ve argued since I ran for this office, we have to look beyond the immediate crisis and start building an economy that lasts into the future -- an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs that pay well and offer security. We now live in a world where technology has made it possible for companies to take their business anywhere. If we want them to start here and stay here and hire here, we have to be able to out-build and out-educate and out-innovate every other country on Earth. (Applause.)
First, I don't want an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs - I want one that creates all kinds of jobs - lower-, middle- and upper-class ones. I want a thriving economy that has jobs for all skill levels. My goal isn't to just have a good middle class position, but to excel. Why does he have such mediocre 'hopes' for us?
Then there is the incorrect premise: that is business is to stay here in America, we have to out-build, out-educate and out-innovate other countries. Actually, what's encouraging companies to locate in other nations has nothing to do with education, building and innovation; it has everything to do with being able to make a profit. If a company can make more money for its shareholders (most of whom are middle-class workers who have their retirement funds and pensions invested in such companies) by going overseas, it will do so. There is also the logistics to consider. Many companies want to have a manufacturing presence in countries where they sell their products. This is both logical and profitable from a public relations standpoint as well as from a fiscal one.
And on all of our efforts to strengthen competitiveness, we need to look for ways to work side by side with America’s businesses. That’s why I’ve brought together a Jobs Council of leaders from different industries who are developing a wide range of new ideas to help companies grow and create jobs.
Despite three years of demonizing businesses he now wants to work side-by-side with them? I doubt many businesses are going to believe he's sincere. As for a Jobs Council - most companies don't need a government committee to tell them how to grow and create jobs; they just need government to get out of their way so they can do what they know they need to do.
In fact, this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everybody’s money, and let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own -- that’s not who we are. That’s not the story of America.
First, conservatives, Republicans, tea party groups and members do NOT want to "dismantle government." We believe in a limited government - not an absence of government. We don't want to "refund everybody's money" - we believe that government takes too much of our own money to spend in ways we wouldn't and for things the federal government has no authority to do and would rather let people keep their money to spend as they want. I mean, really - does a tea pot museum really deserve national tax dollars???
Second, he's wrong because a limited government with taxes only sufficient to support that limited government is exactly who we are! And that IS the story of America.
Ask yourselves -- where would we be right now if the people who sat here before us decided not to build our highways, not to build our bridges, our dams, our airports? What would this country be like if we had chosen not to spend money on public high schools, or research universities, or community colleges? Millions of returning heroes, including my grandfather, had the opportunity to go to school because of the G.I. Bill. Where would we be if they hadn’t had that chance? (Applause.)
How many jobs would it have cost us if past Congresses decided not to support the basic research that led to the Internet and the computer chip? What kind of country would this be if this chamber had voted down Social Security or Medicare just because it violated some rigid idea about what government could or could not do? (Applause.) How many Americans would have suffered as a result?
Another incorrect premise: that if government hadn't done these things, none of them would have happened. Yet, we have plenty of private schools and universities, people build roads and bridges long before the federal government started to do so and people have been finding a way to go to college long before the federal government started subsidizing it.
As for the last two questions...
"What kind of country would this be if this chamber had voted down Social Security or Medicare just because it violated some rigid idea about what government could or could not do? How many Americans would have suffered as a result?"
... all I can say is 'wow!' We all know he believes there is nothing sacred about the limits placed on our government by our constitution, but this blatant, outright disregard for the document he swore to preserve, protect and defend is just unbelievable! Our constitution is not just some 'rigid idea' - it is the defining document that grants authority to the government for specific tasks, recognizing that it is 'we the people' who are supposed to be in control - not some far-off bureaucracy with the unlimited power to do whatever it sees fit.
Again, how is he so very wrong?
The President also says he wants to "listen to every good proposal, no matter which party comes up with it." Well, here's an idea: lift the moratorium on oil drilling. The American Petroleum Institute said lifting restrictions could allow them to create 1,000,000 jobs - actual jobs that don't rely upon government funding to exist. How's that for a job plan?
But since the President hates the oil industry (at least publicly despite accepting campaign donations from them), I doubt this will be one of those ideas he wants to 'listen' to.
In the end, the plan he put forth is just more of the same: nothing new in terms of policies, philosophies or actual substance; no funding plan; more class warfare pitting rich against poor; more politicking despite claiming not to be; and nothing different in terms of the last stimulus which failed miserably.
It's just the second verse, same as the first - and the outcome will also be the same.
Some other perspectives on the speech:
Warner Todd Huston's "Live Tweeting Obama's Job Speech: More Big Government Boondoggles"
Leslie Carbone's "Same Scheme, Different Speech"
Ken Marrero's "Congress Should Not Pass American Jobs Act, it Should Just Pass"
David McElroy's "Trusting Obama to create jobs is like trusting an arsonist to put out fires"
Ed Morrissey's "Which word was missing from Obama's speech last night?"
Ed Morrissey's "AP fact check skewers Porkulus II: Economic Boogaloo speech"
Wall Street Journal Editorial: The Latest Jobs Plan
Thursday, September 08, 2011
Solution to economic problems: give a speech
Taken from DrudgeReport headlines....it pretty much says it all.
Obama: I know - I'll give a speech! I'll tell Congress to adopt all my ideas, which didn't work last time, because THIS time, they will. All it will take is more government spending and more taxing the rich...yeah...that's the trick!
Jobless claims rise --- again...
Stock market drops --- again...
Gold prices soar --- again...
WH: Time for Congress to act...
Senate Dems: Don't blame us...
Obama: I know - I'll give a speech! I'll tell Congress to adopt all my ideas, which didn't work last time, because THIS time, they will. All it will take is more government spending and more taxing the rich...yeah...that's the trick!
Ohio TEA Party and Liberty groups put President Obama on notice
"Qui tacet consentit"
(silence implies consent)
Received via email - signed by 66 Ohio TEA Party and Liberty group leaders. It was faxed and mailed to President Barack Obama yesterday:
(silence implies consent)
Received via email - signed by 66 Ohio TEA Party and Liberty group leaders. It was faxed and mailed to President Barack Obama yesterday:
September 7, 2011
VIA FAX AND US MAIL
President Barack Obama
C/O White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006
Dear President Obama,
We, the undersigned leaders of Ohio liberty groups, are writing to express our deep disappointment in you personally for your lack of moral leadership over the past several weeks culminating in the accusations made this past weekend at the union rally in Detroit. The hateful comments made against the TEA Party, by your supporters, went noticeably unchallenged by you that day and since, despite your calls this past January for “more civility in our public discourse.” Your silence serves to encourage and condone a threat of physical violence made by teamster union leader James Hoffa against common working Americans who simply disagree with your policies and the actions of the unions that support you and those policies.
Furthermore, as the head of the Democratic Party, and a black American, your unwillingness to rein in the over-the-top racially charged rhetoric of Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Congressman Andre Carson, and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus is unconscionable. Unless you actually believe that the vast majority of TEA Party participants are indeed racists who truly desire to see blacks “hanging from trees”, you must speak out and denounce these untrue and unsubstantiated accusations as reckless, incendiary and deliberately intended to create civil unrest.
As President of the United States your actions influence the attitudes and actions of many Americans. You have an even more significant impact on many younger Americans. You owe it to them, and you owe it to all Americans, to make it crystal clear that it is the Constitutional right, and in fact duty, of all American citizens to engage in vigorous, civil, political debate without the threat of intimidation or physical violence. You owe it to all of us to make it crystal clear that your administration will protect the rights of all citizens, at all costs, and will condemn anyone who threatens to take away those rights or incite violence. It is your duty as President of the US to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the US, and the rights of every citizen contained therein.
As members of the TEA Party and Liberty movement, we can assure you that we will never be intimidated by any group, either foreign or domestic, including the leadership of organized labor, that threatens our Constitutional rights, individual liberty and economic future. We will continue to vigorously participate in the political process as we work to restore our nation to greatness, regardless of any opposition we must overcome to reach that goal.
Toledo City Council Meeting September 6, 2011
Sherry's notes from Toledo City Council:
Toledo City Council Meeting Notes:
In attendance: Councilmen Craig, Steel, Martinez, Ludeman, Collins, McNamara, Sarantou, Waniewski (only there for 2 votes), and Copeland. Councilwomen Brown, Hicks-Hudson, and Webb, Mayor Bell.
Item 406 – Resolution – Observe remembrance of 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 – adopted – all voting yes.
Man from Islamic Community speaks – condemns act of September 11, 2001. Presents certificates to the Mayor, President of Council Brown, Fire Chief, and Chief of Police.
Council into Executive Session; 4:25 – 5:25.
(Did notice a lot more people than usual in the room. Looked around the room during the Executive Session. There was a lot of red shirts that had circle with a line through it, and it was issue 2.)
Item 423 – Amend TMC Ch. 2117, AFSCME Local 7, to implement terms and conditions of Fact Finding Report – Steel – Point of Order – Brown – no, 1st Reading. (Did notice that ¾ of the room left - the red-shirted people.)
Item 375 – Approve 2011 – 2015 CIP Plan, line item veto of General Resurfacing $750,000 – Brown – override veto – yes vote: Waniewski, Brown, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb – no vote: McNamara, Martinez, Craig, Ludeman. Veto (Mayor) Upheld. (Waniewski left after this.)
Item 389 Issue renewal Notes, Sidewalk Programs, $840,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 390 - Issue renewal Notes, 2004 SB&H Equipment, $370,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 391 - Issue renewal Notes, 2004 Parks Equipment, $85,000 – passed all voting yes.
Item 392 - Issue renewal Notes, 2005 SB&H Equipment, $830,000 - passed – all voting yes.
Item 393 - Issue renewal Notes, 2005 Parks Equipment, $180,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 394 - Issue renewal Notes, 2009 Solid Waste Containers, $9,675,000 – Collins – are these the same containers that we are giving away to Lucas County? Cruthers – yes, residents are using. Passed – all voting yes.
Item 395 – Issue Notes, 2011 CIP Plan, $3,135,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 403 – Resolution – Accept petition for Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) from Port Authority for MLK Plaza Building – adopted – all voting yes.
Item 404 – Proceed with Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) from Port Authority for MLK Plaza Building – passed – all voting yes.
Item 405 – Levy assessments for Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) from Port Authority for MLK Plaza Building – passed – all voting yes.
Item 407 – Resolution – Oppose lease of the Ohio Turnpike – passed – Ludeman, Sarantou – no, rest yes.
Item 408 – Accept Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA grants for Environmental Services, $1,072,495 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 409 – Accept Port Authority grant for port security vessel, trailer, & vehicle for Fire Department's dive team, $234,500 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 410 – Accept Port Authority grant for sector scanning sonar equipment for Fire Department's dive team, $68,.310 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 411 – Agreement for Police mutual aid with surrounding cities, villages, townships, universities, park districts – amended, passed – all voting yes.
Item 412 – Accept contribution from Toledo Public Schools for ½ of salary & FB for 6 Police Officers, $201,731 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 413 – Accept contribution from Washington Local Schools for ½ salary & FB for Police Officers, $67,244 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 414 – Accept National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADD) grant for Police equipment/training, $5,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 415 – Amend Ordinance 216-11, accept 25th Year ESG grant, $493,206 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 416 – Amend TMC Section 1319.01 to add penalty/fine for performing illegal and/or unauthorized work – passed – all voting yes.
Item 417 – Encroachment into public r-o-w of 3'x20' for accessible ramp at 3904 Secor Road at Portsmouth Ave. - passed – all voting yes.
Item 418 – Establish Demolition Trust Fund for contract bid demolition work by SB&H – Martinez – question about funds – back to Neighborhoods, CD & Health Committee.
Item 419 – Proceed with energy improvements to City buildings/facilities, 2nd Phase, 15 years assessment, $1,990,301 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 420 – Remove fuel oil tank & water storage tank at Yondota Road Low Service Pump Station, $65,000 Water Imp – passed – all voting yes.
Item 421 – Remove underground ammonia storage tank at Collins Park Water Treatment Plant, $30,000 Water Imp – passed – all voting yes.
Item 422 – Appropriation for 1st Phase of improve to Promenade Park, filling/grading & remove Water Street, $750,000 CIP - 1st Reading.
Item 424 – Resolution – Vacate 2 alleys bounded by 18th, Madison, 20th, & Laburnum – adopted – all voting yes.
Last Call:
Steel – Uptown area – status of property. Downtown assessments – how are they done?
Webb – tomorrow, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, support troops at Friendship Park.
Collins – Sunday, 9 AM, Mass Downtown for 9/11 (didn't say where).
Ludeman – Economic Development Committee Meeting this week, postponed till next week.
Martinez – Meeting in two weeks on Berdan Building.
Brown – Agenda meeting moved to next Wednesday.
Toledo City Council Meeting Notes:
In attendance: Councilmen Craig, Steel, Martinez, Ludeman, Collins, McNamara, Sarantou, Waniewski (only there for 2 votes), and Copeland. Councilwomen Brown, Hicks-Hudson, and Webb, Mayor Bell.
Item 406 – Resolution – Observe remembrance of 10th anniversary of September 11, 2001 – adopted – all voting yes.
Man from Islamic Community speaks – condemns act of September 11, 2001. Presents certificates to the Mayor, President of Council Brown, Fire Chief, and Chief of Police.
Council into Executive Session; 4:25 – 5:25.
(Did notice a lot more people than usual in the room. Looked around the room during the Executive Session. There was a lot of red shirts that had circle with a line through it, and it was issue 2.)
Item 423 – Amend TMC Ch. 2117, AFSCME Local 7, to implement terms and conditions of Fact Finding Report – Steel – Point of Order – Brown – no, 1st Reading. (Did notice that ¾ of the room left - the red-shirted people.)
Item 375 – Approve 2011 – 2015 CIP Plan, line item veto of General Resurfacing $750,000 – Brown – override veto – yes vote: Waniewski, Brown, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb – no vote: McNamara, Martinez, Craig, Ludeman. Veto (Mayor) Upheld. (Waniewski left after this.)
Item 389 Issue renewal Notes, Sidewalk Programs, $840,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 390 - Issue renewal Notes, 2004 SB&H Equipment, $370,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 391 - Issue renewal Notes, 2004 Parks Equipment, $85,000 – passed all voting yes.
Item 392 - Issue renewal Notes, 2005 SB&H Equipment, $830,000 - passed – all voting yes.
Item 393 - Issue renewal Notes, 2005 Parks Equipment, $180,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 394 - Issue renewal Notes, 2009 Solid Waste Containers, $9,675,000 – Collins – are these the same containers that we are giving away to Lucas County? Cruthers – yes, residents are using. Passed – all voting yes.
Item 395 – Issue Notes, 2011 CIP Plan, $3,135,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 403 – Resolution – Accept petition for Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) from Port Authority for MLK Plaza Building – adopted – all voting yes.
Item 404 – Proceed with Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) from Port Authority for MLK Plaza Building – passed – all voting yes.
Item 405 – Levy assessments for Energy Special Improvement District (ESID) from Port Authority for MLK Plaza Building – passed – all voting yes.
Item 407 – Resolution – Oppose lease of the Ohio Turnpike – passed – Ludeman, Sarantou – no, rest yes.
Item 408 – Accept Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA grants for Environmental Services, $1,072,495 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 409 – Accept Port Authority grant for port security vessel, trailer, & vehicle for Fire Department's dive team, $234,500 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 410 – Accept Port Authority grant for sector scanning sonar equipment for Fire Department's dive team, $68,.310 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 411 – Agreement for Police mutual aid with surrounding cities, villages, townships, universities, park districts – amended, passed – all voting yes.
Item 412 – Accept contribution from Toledo Public Schools for ½ of salary & FB for 6 Police Officers, $201,731 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 413 – Accept contribution from Washington Local Schools for ½ salary & FB for Police Officers, $67,244 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 414 – Accept National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators (NADD) grant for Police equipment/training, $5,000 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 415 – Amend Ordinance 216-11, accept 25th Year ESG grant, $493,206 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 416 – Amend TMC Section 1319.01 to add penalty/fine for performing illegal and/or unauthorized work – passed – all voting yes.
Item 417 – Encroachment into public r-o-w of 3'x20' for accessible ramp at 3904 Secor Road at Portsmouth Ave. - passed – all voting yes.
Item 418 – Establish Demolition Trust Fund for contract bid demolition work by SB&H – Martinez – question about funds – back to Neighborhoods, CD & Health Committee.
Item 419 – Proceed with energy improvements to City buildings/facilities, 2nd Phase, 15 years assessment, $1,990,301 – passed – all voting yes.
Item 420 – Remove fuel oil tank & water storage tank at Yondota Road Low Service Pump Station, $65,000 Water Imp – passed – all voting yes.
Item 421 – Remove underground ammonia storage tank at Collins Park Water Treatment Plant, $30,000 Water Imp – passed – all voting yes.
Item 422 – Appropriation for 1st Phase of improve to Promenade Park, filling/grading & remove Water Street, $750,000 CIP - 1st Reading.
Item 424 – Resolution – Vacate 2 alleys bounded by 18th, Madison, 20th, & Laburnum – adopted – all voting yes.
Last Call:
Steel – Uptown area – status of property. Downtown assessments – how are they done?
Webb – tomorrow, 6:00 – 8:00 PM, support troops at Friendship Park.
Collins – Sunday, 9 AM, Mass Downtown for 9/11 (didn't say where).
Ludeman – Economic Development Committee Meeting this week, postponed till next week.
Martinez – Meeting in two weeks on Berdan Building.
Brown – Agenda meeting moved to next Wednesday.
Quote of the Day - liberty vs. the state
"The greatest violator of the principle of equal liberty is the State. Its functions are to control, to rule, to dictate, to regulate, and in exercising these functions it interferes with and injures individuals who have done no wrong. The objection to government is, not that it controls those who invade the liberty of others, but that it controls the non-invader. It may be necessary to govern one who will not govern himself, but that in no wise justifies governing one who is capable of and willing to govern himself. To argue that because some need restraint all must be restrained is neither consistent nor logical." ~ Charles T. Sprading
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Tax Structure Study Committee to Hold Public Hearing at UT
Press Release:
Tax Structure Study Committee to Hold Public Hearing at UT
COLUMBUS—State Representative Barbara Sears (R-Monclova) today announced that the Ohio House’s bipartisan Tax Structure Study Committee will be holding a public hearing on Monday, September 12th at the University of Toledo.
The hearing will be held at 11 a.m. at the Scott Park Campus Auditorium, located at 2225 Nebraska Avenue in Toledo. It will serve to give the people of Ohio an opportunity to speak to the Ohio House of Representatives on the state’s tax climate. Specifically, the forum will cover three areas of the tax code: the commercial activity tax, the sales and use tax, and tax expenditures.
“I appreciate that the Tax Study Committee has prioritized northwest Ohio and is holding a hearing in Toledo,” Rep. Sears said. “The committee’s purpose highlights that we are taking our mission seriously of reviewing state revenue and expenditures, and ensuring that they are collected and spent appropriately. Ultimately, ensuring that the tax code works for Ohioans also ensures that government doesn’t impede businesses from creating jobs.”
Upon completing the necessary research, the committee intends to put forth an executive summary and possible recommendations for the Legislature. Rep. Sears encourages all residents of Toledo and Lucas County who are interested in voicing their opinions on Ohio’s tax structure to attend this hearing.
-30-
SolarGate - Solyndra and the White House
From Investors Business Daily comes this editorial on SolarGate. One can only wonder why the MSM (main stream media - or lame street media depending on whether or not you're a fan) doesn't bother to report how a failing company was able to get half a billion dollars from the government:
Despite a warning from Solyndra's own accountants at PricewaterhouseCoopers that the company's business model was suspect and raised "substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern," President Obama visited the company and gave it a glowing endorsement as a government-picked winner alongside electric cars and high-speed rail.
Despite its spotty business record, Solyndra was the first recipient of green stimulus cash in the form of a $535 million guaranteed loan. The loan not only escaped serious scrutiny, according to the Government Accountability Office, but also was — despite denials by White House officials — fast-tracked by an administration that monitored every step in the process.
Last Thursday, House Energy Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., sent a letter to the White House asking for all correspondence among administration officials, Solyndra and its investors. "We have learned from our investigation that White House officials monitored Solyndra's application with (Energy Department) and Office of Management and Budget officials during the course of their review," the letter says.
Mayor Mike Bell's ad in support of Ohio Issue 2
Here is the latest ad in support of Ohio Issue 2 (Senate Bill 5) featuring Toledo Mayor Mike Bell. The ad is from Building a Better Ohio.
An honest look at Issue 2 ad from 'We Are Ohio'
I found this video on YouTube and wanted to share it. It analyzes and debunks the claims of the most recent ad from opponents of Senate Bill 5, which is Issue 2 on the November ballot.
It contains good information for countering the distortions coming from the unions - distortions which would have you believe that if Issue 2 isn't defeated, then all hell will break loose and everyone will die. Yes, that's an exaggeration, but it's fitting considering the union claims.
And in case you're wondering why I keep calling it 'union' claims, it's because all the anti-reform people are unions. The group, called We Are Ohio, claims to be a " citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition." But as that hero points out:
There is also a great chart on the linked blog post which shows where all the money for We Are Ohio is coming from. It shows that of the over $6.3 million raised so far, less than 1% (it's actually .6%) comes from individuals. The rest comes from unions and the Ohio Democratic Party.
That, along with this video (courtesy of GOHP blog) puts their ad in a different light.
It contains good information for countering the distortions coming from the unions - distortions which would have you believe that if Issue 2 isn't defeated, then all hell will break loose and everyone will die. Yes, that's an exaggeration, but it's fitting considering the union claims.
And in case you're wondering why I keep calling it 'union' claims, it's because all the anti-reform people are unions. The group, called We Are Ohio, claims to be a " citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition." But as that hero points out:
Their populist banner exists to hide the fact that opposition to union reform is driven by the unions – predominantly from D.C. If We Are Ohio is not “a citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition,” nothing else they say carries much weight… and not merely because they’ve been proven liars right out of the chute.
There is also a great chart on the linked blog post which shows where all the money for We Are Ohio is coming from. It shows that of the over $6.3 million raised so far, less than 1% (it's actually .6%) comes from individuals. The rest comes from unions and the Ohio Democratic Party.
That, along with this video (courtesy of GOHP blog) puts their ad in a different light.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
Quote of the Day - liberty vs. authority
"And here is the difference between the Libertarians and the Authoritarians: the latter have no confidence in liberty; they believe in compelling people to be good, assuming that people are totally depraved; the former believe in letting people be good, and maintain that humanity grows better and better as it gains more and more liberty" ~ Charles T. Sprading
Monday, September 05, 2011
Quote of the Day - tyrannical government
President Reagan's 1980 Labor Day Address
I wanted to print this speech from President Ronald Reagan, given on September 1, 1980, when he was still a candidate. Many of the circumstances he describes (unemployment, recession vs. depression, debt) are with us again today - with some of the number much, much worse. There are also similarities between his description of President Jimmy Carter and many of the actions of President Barack Obama - especially in terms of promises made, but not kept.
What I found particularly interesting is his rebuke of Carter's claims. Carter claimed that we were only in a recession then. Pres. Obama and his administration keep telling us that things are getting better, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Three years into his term, Carter came up with an economic plan. Here is what Reagan had to say about it:
Sounds very much like this president with his latest 'jobs plan.'
Reagan also believed that the economy wasn't a zero-sum gain. He didn't believe that rich were rich because they took from the poor - or that the poor would be better off if the rich weren't as rich.
He also didn't demonize the job producers like our current president does:
On this Labor Day, it's good to remember Reagan's words. Here is the complete text of that speech, courtesy of American Rehtoric:
What I found particularly interesting is his rebuke of Carter's claims. Carter claimed that we were only in a recession then. Pres. Obama and his administration keep telling us that things are getting better, despite clear evidence to the contrary.
Three years into his term, Carter came up with an economic plan. Here is what Reagan had to say about it:
Last week -- Last week more than three years after be became President, he finally came up with what he calls a new economic program. It is his fifth new economic program in three and a half years. And you know listening to him, he talks as if someone else has been in charge for these last three and a half years. Now with two months to go until the election he rides to the rescue with a crazy-quilt of obvious election year promises which he’ll ask Congress for next year. After three years of neglect, the misery of unemployment, inflation, high taxes, dwindling earning power and inability to save, after all this, American workers have now been discovered by the Administration.
Well it won't work. It's cynical. It's political. And it's too late. The damage is done and every American family knows who did it.
Sounds very much like this president with his latest 'jobs plan.'
Reagan also believed that the economy wasn't a zero-sum gain. He didn't believe that rich were rich because they took from the poor - or that the poor would be better off if the rich weren't as rich.
"We can have a bigger pie and that'll mean bigger slices for everyone of us. And I believe that together -- together you and I can bake that bigger pie. We can make that dream that brought so many of us or our parents and grandparents to this land, we can make that dream live once more."
He also didn't demonize the job producers like our current president does:
We'll work -- We'll work to strengthen the small business sector which creates most of the new jobs we need for our people. Small business, the shopkeeper, needs relief from government paperwork, relief from over-regulation, relief from a host of governmentally created problems that defeat the effort of creative men and women. A chance to invest, build, and produce new wealth is part of that dream.
On this Labor Day, it's good to remember Reagan's words. Here is the complete text of that speech, courtesy of American Rehtoric:
I've been asked by some of my friends in the press why we picked Hudson County for this kind of kick off of the campaign. Now I'm sure they asked because Hudson County is the home of Democrats in such great numbers…. No -- No and I hope a lot are here. As a matter of fact, I'm the first Republican candidate to come here since 1968.
But the answer to their question is, I'm here because it is the home of Democrats, because I believe today, that in this country there are millions of Democrats who are just as unhappy with the way things are as all the rest of us are.
It's fitting that on Labor Day, we meet beside the harbors, the waters I should say of New York harbor, with the eyes of Miss Liberty on our gathering and in the words of the poet whose lines are inscribed at her feet, "On the air bridged harbor that twin cities frame."
Through this "Golden Door," under the gaze of that "Mother of Exiles," has come millions of men and women, who first set foot on American soil right there, on Ellis Island, so close to the Statue of Liberty.
These families came here to work. They came to build. Others came to America in different ways, from other lands, under different, and often harrowing conditions. But this place symbolizes what they all managed to build, no matter where they came from or how they came or how much they suffered.
They helped to build that magnificent city across the river. They spread across the land building other cities and other towns and incredibly productive farms.
They came to make America work. They didn’t ask what this country could do for them but what they could do to make this -- this refuge the greatest home of freedom in history.
They brought with them courage, ambition and the values of family, neighborhood, work, peace, and freedom. We all came from different lands but we share the same values, the same dream.
Today a President of the United States would have us believe that dream is over or at least in need of change. Jimmy Carter’s Administration tells us that the descendants of those who sacrificed to start again in this land of freedom may have to abandon the dream that drew their ancestors to a new life in a new land.
You're right. The Carter record is a litany of despair, of broken promises, of sacred trusts abandoned and forgotten. Eight million -- eight million out of work. Inflation running at 18 percent in the first quarter of this year. Black unemployment at 14 percent, higher than any single year since the government began keeping separate statistics. Four straight major deficits run up by Carter and his friends in Congress. The highest interest rates since the Civil War, reaching at times close to 20 percent, lately they're down to more than 11 percent but now they've begun to go up again. Productivity falling for six straight quarters among the most productive people in the world.
Through his inflation he has raised taxes on the American people by 30 percent, while their real income has risen only 20 percent. The Lady standing there in the harbor has never betrayed us once. But this Administration in Washington has betrayed the working men and women of this country.
The President promised that he would not increase taxes for the low and middle-income people, the workers of America. Then he imposed on American families the largest single tax increase in our nation's history. His answer to all this misery? He tries to tell us that we're “only” in a recession, not a depression, as if definitions, words, relieve our suffering.
Let it show on the record that when the American people cried out for economic help, Jimmy Carter took refuge behind a dictionary. Well if it’s a definition -- if it's a definition he wants, I’ll give him one. A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.
[Crowd chants.]
Thank you. Thank you. Well, all right, thank you. Maybe I should quit right now, but I'll go on for a few more minutes.
I have talked with unemployed workers all across this country. I've heard their views on what Jimmy Carter has done to them and their families. They aren’t interested in semantic quibbles. They're out of work and they know who put them out of work. And they know the difference between a recession and a depression.
Let Mr. Carter go to their homes, look their children in the eye and argue with them that it's “only” a recession that put Dad or Mom out of work. Let him go to the unemployment lines and lecture those workers who have been betrayed on what is the proper definition for their widespread economic misery. Human tragedy, human misery, the crushing of the human spirit; they do not need defining, they need action. And it's action, in the form of jobs, to lower taxes, and an expanded economy that as President, I intend to provide.
Now, call this human tragedy whatever you want. Whatever it is, it's Jimmy Carter's. He caused it. He tolerates it. And he's going to answer to the American people for it.
Last week -- Last week more than three years after be became President, he finally came up with what he calls a new economic program. It is his fifth new economic program in three and a half years. And you know listening to him, he talks as if someone else has been in charge for these last three and a half years. Now with two months to go until the election he rides to the rescue with a crazy-quilt of obvious election year promises which he’ll ask Congress for next year. After three years of neglect, the misery of unemployment, inflation, high taxes, dwindling earning power and inability to save, after all this, American workers have now been discovered by the Administration.
Well it won't work. It's cynical. It's political. And it's too late. The damage is done and every American family knows who did it.
In 1976 he said he would never use unemployment as an economic tool to fight inflation. In 1980, this year, he's called for an increase in unemployment to fight inflation. In 1976 he said four years ago that he would bring unemployment and inflation both down to three percent. Well, who can believe him? Unemployment is now around eight percent, inflation is twelve and a half percent. And most of us have begun to realize that so long as Carter policies are in effect, the next four years are going to be just as bad as the last four have been.
But here, beside that torch that many times before in our nation’s history has cast a golden light in times of gloom, I pledge to you I’ll bring new hope to America.
[Chanting from crowd]
Thank you. I'm… well, you know, thanks. I'm -- I'm looking forward to meeting Mr. Carter in debate, confronting him with the whole sorry record of his Administration. The record he prefers not to mention. If he ever finally agrees to the kind of first debate the American people want, which I’m beginning to doubt, he’ll answer to them and to me.
This country needs a new Administration, with a renewed dedication to the dream of an America, an Administration that will give that dream new life and make America great again! Restoring and revitalizing that dream will take bold action.
On this day, dedicated to American working men and women, may I tell you the vision that I have of a new Administration and of a new Congress, filled with new members dedicated to the values that we honor today?
Beginning in January of 1981, American workers will once again be heeded. Their needs and values will be acted upon in Washington. I will consult with representatives of organized labor on those matters concerning the welfare of working people of this nation.
I happen to be the only president of a union ever to be a candidate for President of the United States. As president -- as president of my union, the Screen Actors Guild, I spent many hours with the late George Meany, whose love of this country and whose belief in a strong defense against all totalitarians is one of labor’s greatest legacies. One year ago today on Labor Day George Meany told the American people, "As American workers and their families return from their summer vacations, they face growing unemployment and inflation, a climate of economic anxiety and uncertainty.” One year ago, George Meany predicted just exactly what has happened to us.
Well I pledge to you in his memory, that the voice of the American worker will once again be heard and heeded in Washington and that the climate of fear that he spoke of will no longer threaten workers and their families.
When -- When we talk about tax reduction, when we talk about ending inflation by stopping it where it starts, in Washington, we're talking about a way to bring labor and management together for America. We're talking about jobs and productivity and wages. We're talking about doing away with Jimmy Carter’s view of a no-growth policy, and ever-shrinking economic pie which means smaller slices for everyone of us.
That’s no answer. We can have a bigger pie and that'll mean bigger slices for everyone of us. And I believe that together -- together you and I can bake that bigger pie. We can make that dream that brought so many of us or our parents and grandparents to this land, we can make that dream live once more. Let us work to protect the human right to acquire and own a home, make sure that right is extended to as many Americans as possible. A home is part of the dream.
I'm going to work in Washington to roll back the crushing burden of taxation that limits investment, production, and the generation of real wealth for our people. A job and savings and hope for our children is part of that dream. I want to help Americans of every race, creed, and heritage keep and build that sense of community which is at the heart of America, for a decent neighborhood is part of that dream.
We'll work -- We'll work to strengthen the small business sector which creates most of the new jobs we need for our people. Small business, the shopkeeper, needs relief from government paperwork, relief from over-regulation, relief from a host of governmentally created problems that defeat the effort of creative men and women. A chance to invest, build, and produce new wealth is part of that dream.
But restoring the American dream requires more than restoring a sound, productive economy, vitally important as that is. It requires a return to spiritual and moral values. Values so deeply held by those who came here to build a new life. We need to restore those values in our daily life, in our neighborhoods, and in our government’s dealings with other nations of the world.
These are the values inspiring those brave workers in Poland. The values that have inspired other dissidents under Communist domination who have been willing to go into the Gulag and suffer the torture of imprisonment because of their dissidence. They remind us that where free unions and collective bargaining are forbidden, freedom is lost. They remind us that freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. You and I must protect and preserve freedom here or it will not be passed on to our children and it would disappear everywhere in the world. Today the workers in Poland are showing a new generation how high is the price of freedom but also how much it is worth that price.
I want more than anything I’ve ever wanted, to have an Administration that will, through its actions, at home and in the international arena, let millions of people know that Miss Liberty still, “Lifts her lamp beside the golden door.” Through our international broadcasting stations, the Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and the others; let us send, loud and clear, the message that this generation of Americans intends to keep that lamp shining. That this dream -- that this dream, this last best hope of man on earth, this nation under God, shall not perish from the earth. We will instead carry on the building of an American economy that once again holds forth real opportunity for all. We shall continue to be a symbol of freedom and guardian of the eternal values that so inspired those who came to this port of entry.
Let us pledge to each other, with this Great Lady looking on, that we can, and so help us God, we will make America great again.
Thank you very much.
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