Do we need another Stimulus Package?

Once again, we are hearing rumblings of yet another way the goverment thinks things can be improved for our tanking economy.  This time, they are considering a $150 billion package that would target Infastructure, extending unemployment benefits, increases in food stamp benefits and helping states with Medicare programs.  There is talk it could include tax breaks for the middle class and yet another stimulus check, which could put this package at about $300 billion.

Isn’t time to stop thowing money around after bad debt?  My first thought is how many years are we going to be paying for all of this?  We already gave $700 billion to the banks and Wall Street, we bailed out Fannie and Fredie before and has anyone forgotten the checks we got earlier this year?  The auto industry wants us to now bail them out.  Who’s going to be next in the line?

With the rebate checks, I had heard on a news program that only about 10% was invested back into the economy by purchase of goods and services. So much for all of us buying big screen TVs with our checks like they had hoped.  Some people had the checks taken away before they even got them due to garnishments, some invested them, some paid off debts and some people still haven’t claimed them.  For those checks not claims by a certain point, will the goverment take those dollars out of the total they have paid out and the total we may have to pay back in taxes?

Anyone remeber the The Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003?  Yes, we were given a child tax credit for each child, but at the end of the year, we had to claim it on our taxes.  I use Turbo Tax and it asked me, did you receive this credit?  And what did most people I know do with the credit?  Pay off debt, not purchase new goods and services.  The govement gave us a short term loan for the Child Credit, are they going to do it again with the Stimulus check from February?  The IRS isn’t saying anything that I can find, how this will be accounted for 2008.

If we are investing in infastucture such as roads and bridges, does this create jobs for all the lost ones?  Who exactly is going to benefit from the food stamp increases?  How long do they plan to extend unemployment for? 

I also would like to know if the government is going to go after businesses they bailed out once they start turning a profit.  They should repay the government for the help they got.  But I have not seen an answer for this one either. 

It sounds so wonderful in the beginning, but we still have too many questions unanswered from the last bailouts.  And our economy is still going from Recession to Depression.

The Patriot Act, aka The Tyranny Act

There’s been discussion in the past of The Patriot Act and it’s infringement on Americans’ constitutional rights, and many people feel this Act is a “necessary evil” to guard against terrorism. But when you take a look at this comparison of the United States Constitution and The Patriot Act, how can you not think the Act is just another way for the government to abuse its power?

Economic Crisis in a Nutshell

A private business fails. Instead of letting the business take responsibility for itself, for its poor decision-making, for its acceptance of undue risk, Government blames itself, citing “lack of regulation.” Government proposes more regulation and asks citizens to bail out private business.

End result? Encouragement of future abuse by business because they’ve not been held accountable. And a country creeping quietly toward centrally planned socialism. That the government/taxpayer will then own a stake in said business is a quiet step towards nationalizing businesses a la Hugo Chavez.

Are You Sick and Tired of Politics Now?

I was excited and energized at the beginning of the election season.  Granted, the candidate closest to my political beliefs, Ron Paul, was shut out of the race.  But, that wasn’t a huge surprise.  The ground troops will just have to keep on keepin’ on.  No, I was actually energized by the national discussion that was going on.  On television, in the newspapers, on twitter, amongst bloggers and indeed in the carpool line.

For me, to actually have people engaged in a discussion about where the country is going, what the government’s role is and how to make this change, is truly revitalizing and important.  Most of the time, the average joe or georgina does not discuss ways to make the country better.  Really, before this election year, did you hear discussions about taxes, abortion, stem cell research, education and health care other than to complain?  Most of the time people don’t even think about how the country works (and indeed, the government) unless something bad happens in their life.  Then they are interested.

I wasn’t old enough during the 60’s to have been actively involved in many of the protests OR some of the lively discussions on campus. I came right after that, ohhh right around WATERGATE.  So I am very familiar with people who are dis-enchanted with politics.  The problem is that the big issues we face as a country somehow get linked with politics in people’s minds, so they don’t engage on issues. It’s only around election time that Americans engage in topical discussions that effect their lives.  Why is that?  Have we truly become a country that wants to turn over our thinking to the government?  Let them figure everything out?  Can’t we use our brains to think independently and more importantly, engage in topical discussions WITHOUT it being an election year?

Now, of course along with everyone else.  I’m sick and tired of all the sound bites, television ads and the same ole’ speeches.  If I hear Sarah Palin say, “I said NO to that bridge to nowhere”  ONE MORE TIME - I think I’ll scream.  But, that’s another post…

I see the malaise creeping back.  I see it in the rabid Obama followers.  I see it in the lock-step following of the McCainites (who by the way, only flock to see him if Sarah Palin is by his side - interesting, huh?)  The issues are not the focus anymore, it’s the candidates and after the election, everyone will go about their business of letting government handle the issues of our lives.  We need to continue the discussion of the issues.  We need to all read more and educate ourselves and have an OPINION about things instead of “checking out”.  Only interested, passionate believers get things done.  And, guess what?  They may end up running things while the rest of the country sits by and watches.  We all need to stay engaged even if the politics of today are off-putting.  The ones involved are the ones that advance the ball.  Don’t let it be someone else’s ball.

Happy Constitution Day

On September 17, 1787, the 39 men who participated in the Constitutional Convention gathered to sign the incredible document they had created. Today is Constitution Day, although most people don’t know it and it’s definitely not on any wall calendar I’ve ever purchased at the mall.

It seems odd to me that we consider Columbus Day a national holiday (when Columbus really did very little for our country), but not something like Constitution Day. I’ve been learning a lot about the American Revolution lately and I continue to be amazed at how little we are taught in school about our country’s road to independence. And how far our country has fallen from the time when we first celebrated our freedom.

Every day America moves more toward socialism and tyranny. We are required to make application for, and usually pay taxes or fees on, nearly everything we want to do. Opening a business? Better pay the government. Going fishing? Gotta pay your fee. Want to get married? Be sure to get your government permission slip marriage license. This is freedom? This is what our Constitution intends? Hardly.

On Constitution Day, I urge you to watch the documentary America: Freedom to Fascism if you haven’t yet seen it. Or maybe watch it again to get these ideas fresh in your mind. Director Aaron Russo attempts to find the law that requires US citizens to pay income tax… and finds that there is no such law. While there is controversy surrounding some of the claims made in the movie, I think it’s important to watch and understand the extent to which the government controls our lives. We might think our choice is democrat or republican in November, but it just might be a choice of tyranny or tyranny.

You’re Not For McCain or Obama, Who Do You Vote For?

For a Libertarian such as myself, Presidential election season is a frustrating time. I don’t agree with many of McCain’s positions and I agree even less with Obama’s. I’m not even a big fan of Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate. So who will I vote for? Here’s a quick analysis of my three options.

1. Don’t vote. This is not really an option, but I want to address it because so many people don’t vote. Ever go to a Revolutionary War battle re-enactment or watch one on TV? It’s a great experience. Our citizen soldiers lined up to walk head-on into a hail of gunfire, in part so their descendants would have the ability to choose their own leaders – a concept that was new to Europeans. Those men believed they could make a difference — and they did! The odds were against them, yet they prevailed. Voting is not simply a right but a responsibility. Our country was founded on the idea of a government “by the people, for the people,” but if you don’t vote - if you don’t believe your vote can make a difference - you’re not living up to your responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America. And you have no right to complain about the state of our nation.

2. Vote for the lesser of two evils. If you feel McCain or Obama will make this country a better place to live, then by all means vote for one of them. But I wouldn’t vote for either major party candidate just because one of them is sure to win, or because I wanted to vote against the other candidate. That’s a mistake. When you cast your vote, you’re saying “I support this candidate and his policies.” Don’t take that lightly.

3. Vote for a third-party candidate or write-in a candidate. The odds are against any third-party candidate winning, but is a third-party vote a wasted vote? No! If enough people vote third party, elected officials will take notice. Voter data is heavily analyzed and if every Independent voted for what they believed in it would send a message to the government, the special interests that control the government, the media, and the “lesser of two evil” voters… a message that says “We, the people, want to try another way.” Slowly (and on a lower governmental level at first) things could change.

Ron Paul, who got my vote in the primary election, says it best in this statement:

People will waste their vote in voting for the lesser of two evils. That can’t be stopped overnight, but for us to have an impact we must maximize the total votes of those rejecting the two major candidates.

For me, though, my advice - for what it’s worth - is to vote! Reject the two candidates who demand perpetuation of the status quo and pick one of the alternatives that you have the greatest affinity to, based on the other issues.

A huge vote for those running on principle will be a lot more valuable by sending a message that we’ve had enough and want real change than wasting one’s vote on a supposed lesser of two evils.

Gotta Love Tiny Fey And Amy Poehler

Palin’s Power Among Highest of All Governors

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, The Wall Street Journal published an editorial titled “Running Alaska,” explaining that while Alaska may be one of our least populated states, the Governor’s office is among the country’s most powerful.

Thad Beyle, a political science professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill maintains an index of institutional power for the 50 Governors of the United States. His index rates governorships on issues such as budgetary and appointment authority, veto power, and other factors. Alaska is rated 4.1 on a scale of 5. Only one other state - Massachusettes - concentrates more power in the Governor’s office than Alaska.

The editorial also pointed out that when Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton was elected President, his budget was $2 billion — compared to the $12 billion that Palin currently manages for Alaska.

In my opinion, Sarah Palin’s experience is a non-issue. She’s got more executive branch experience than Obama and she’s more than qualified for the office of Vice President. What I want to know is how she feels about education and the economy.  Let’s get over this “experience” and “heartbeat away from the Presidency” crap and start getting down to the issues that matter.