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Monthly Archives: October 2011

Parallels To A Futuristic Movie


Most of us are familiar with the “Star Wars” saga. I have observed an activity which parallels the story in some part. A Non profit in Springfield, IL. hired a retired state worker to administer one of their many programs. This person through some machinations much like the Senator (who became Chancellor) from “Naboo” rose to the position of COO. Once in that position the real personality emerged in the form the “Dark maiden”. This new seemingly omnipotent entity has almost singlehandedly gutted the Head Start program. This has been accomplished by firing tenured teachers and other seasoned workers. There are also the cases of health issues in the buildings that have caused grievous harm to teachers and children. Unfortunately the ” Union(Freedom Fighters)” do not have a hero to lead them and the fear of the “Dark maiden” lays heavily over the Head Start program like a blanket. The underlying problems are as deep and pervasive as gas leaking from a broken line. The costs to run the program have been subverted to legal fees to fight the Union instead of using those same funds to improve the program and it’s clients. To date over 50 workers have been eliminated with one poor excuse or another while still racking up huge legal fees to the detriment of the program. The public is unaware of the extent of the problem as the evil empire has taken great pains to contain all information that would illuminate their process. Hopefully there are still other forces at work that might at some point expose the true nature of this beast.

So Here We Are!


What will it take for the voting public to pay attention to what our representatives are not doing for us? The local Illinois representatives want to maintain secrecy over open government. These “servants” of the people are busily keeping some constituents happy and others are left in the cold. A vote is the driving force behind all elections and to achieve that goal our representatives will say anything, agree to anything to stay in office. It all comes back to the voters allowing our representatives serve(?) more than 2 terms in office. There is no better way to for voters to have control over their representatives than limiting the time they serve. If these representatives cannot accomplish what needs to be done in 2 terms, then why do we need them? If there were no political parties, no PAC’s and no special interest groups  then maybe the elected representatives could work as a cohesive unit to get the work of the people done. We as voters have been advertised into electing the same mistakes time after time and regretting it each time yet we forget each time we hit the polling booth. Change is only accomplished by the voters and not the person running for or serving in the office.

Beyond The Comics


I am hoping more people will progress beyond the sports page and comics in the daily paper. As I read the opinions from everyday folks, I am encouraged that we are all not as naive as our elected officials would like us to be. The loud braying of our electorate has served to overshadow any questions as to their compensation and retirement, Which they enacted in as much secrecy as they could manage and still call it open debate. Which is worse a representative who outright lies or one who lies with the purpose of deceit? We have had Governors who were good at the job and some who were not even some who were marginally effective. They all have one thing in common, they were not very open in what they do. This comes back to the real movers and shakers “the Legislature”! The legislators have been in place for more years than several Governors combined and by that fact are worse than the worst of the Governors as they have had time to perfect their cover-ups while corrupting the newer members of their group. This is not about parties or associations, it’s simply about real people who are elected to do the best for ALL of the people and being reasonably compensated for the work. What it has come to is a group of men and women who for the most part have become a major part of the problem as their personal greed has overshadowed the reason people elected them. How can people who were elected to serve the people do anything towards that end when they are serving themselves first? This is as improper as a dinner host serving themselves before their guests.

The Politricks of politics


Across the nation the state leaders (governors) are all seeking ways to keep or pull their state out of financial holes. It appears that the Dupublican leaders are the most vocal. Each of the high-profile “Gubers” are seeking to balance the budget on the back of their workers. They have presented cuts that create more problems than they solve, as I under stand it the Unions that are involved are not against the cuts but more against the idea of losing the ability to collectively bargain. These newbies are riding the wave of recent mid-term elections that were dominated by the Dupublicans with the aid of splinter groups. What will happen when the touted changes fail to appear or alleviate the problems? The Scamocrats are fighting back while watching these events unfold. This is a picture of the tricks used in politics to advance an issue or initiative, the politicians we have elected (too many times) have at last made clear that they are not as trustworthy as they need to be. It is easy to point fingers at one another but how about dissolving the 2 party system and go to a no party system? Having no party to rally us in an errant direction we as voters can make decisions based on what we know and see, while this is not a perfect solution it is a solution where we are responsible and hopefully can learn from our mistakes instead of some one elses.

No Trespassing?


I have noticed on a number of occasions that many people have “No Trespassing Signs” on their property , in the windows of their homes. I can’t decide if that actually means “no trespassing” or something else. There was a time when people had signs like “no Solicitors”, “no peddlers”and even “private property” displayed but no trespassing? Does this mean the postal worker or other delivery people? Some of these places appear to be in a condition that merits the sign as they look dangerous to go in to. Others appear to be more of way to keep other people away. What could they be hiding? Is it a drug house? Is there something illegal going on inside? What about the people who have the more dangerous dogs in their yards and homes and say to a caller “they won’t bite! Any dog that has teeth will bite and all dogs do not like everyone. Dogs and sometime cats protect their homes and masters against any sensed threat.No trespassing, could this applied to our Congress?

The Oppressors always Impress


I have come to understand that politics is more about power than service. Recent events in America, and the Mid Eastern countries has shown that the so-called leaders are all in it for the glory, notoriety and fame (the money follows). It seems that the more a person’s name is in the spotlight the more they clamor for attention. This zest for the spotlight leads to some of the more radical statements whether they are true or not. The idea of ” I am in the spotlight” seems to exacerbate their falseness. The Dupublicans and Scamocrats both have delivered on nationwide radio and television some of the most ludicrous statements ever put forth. Every one of the elected officials seems to have the idea that their way is correct and the people can just suck it up. It was the will of the people who got them elected and that is what will get them out! There are deep pocket backers but in the end it’s the people who will prevail. The various factions and sub factions of the parties will get some play but once the truth is known the informed voters will win.

ALL Actions Have Consequences


The continuing onslaught of political debates have shown that it is easy to point fingers at the incumbents and other office aspirants has created an air of indifference and confusion to the public. At once voters are tired of the same old songs but still want some positive changes. The media coverage goes on daily and without end. The various candidates have all gained air time with misspeaks, innuendo and sometimes lies creating an air of distrust and confusion for the voters. These actions have the consequences of the voters voting for someone else or not voting at all. Would it not be better to have the candidates simply know what they need to know to campaign smartly and not have to depend on Ad type campaigning that scare and alarm voters into making possibly poor decisions in the voting booth?

HOA’s


Home Owners Associations apparently have the power of life and death on their members. I have read on several occasions where HOA’s have prohibited the flying of the U.S. flags or other banners on the individual owners property. Along with that the various “dress codes” of the homes such as specific window treatments, house colors and even garage doors.These are not company owned properties so what gives the HOA’s the authority to control the look of an individual home unless the property is not maintained or kept in a dangerous condition. This is no more than some individuals who gather to impress their personal agenda on others through this association. It is certainly not a bad thing to have an association to gain a collective good for disposal of trash, tree trimming and other tasks that would be difficult for individuals monetarily or physically however to create a ban on an individual right fly the flag of the United States is ludicrous. Some H.O.A.’s do very well because they consider the individuality of the members while others are actually Big Brother in miniature.

Its all about Stamps


In adddition to the existing problems of the Nation we have the ongoing Postal crisis. “Going Postal” has become a synonym with someone going berserk but what going postal really should describe is the millions in lost revenue on the heels of electronic communication (along with fast everything, instant gratification, etc). Our postal system has suffered from our own self centered belief that postal rates are already too high. Looking back to the first postal rates: a letter to the known United States (300 miles) was .01 cent. In 1921 parcel post was .02 per ounce anywhere in the U.S. During the time of this country’s development from 1776 until approximately 1863, the postage to send mail ranged from .01 to as much as .25 per ounce. During the time immediately after our Revolutionary war we used currency and pricing based on a number established countries so the coinage and stamps reflected those counties. Starting in 1863 the basic postage was .03 cents per half ounce and each additional half ounce was .03 cents. this remained fixed until reduced by Congress during the WW1. The price did not increase until 1932 and not again until 1952. 1958,1963,1968.1971. In 1974 the price increased to .10 cents and increased every 3 to 4 years until 2011 which brought us to .44 cents for a basic letter of one (1) ounce. What does all this mean? This just points out that the postal rates have not kept pace with the actual cost of mailing a letter or packages. Postal rates cannot be levied unless approved by Congress (who by the way do not pay postage for “official” mailings, these mailings are funded by an annual Tax appropriation) . Congress established the Postal Regulatory Commission in 1970 to regulate postal operations and rates. The Commission is composed of five
Commissioners, each of whom is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of six years. It appears that along with the constant public political rhetoric and outpours, our biggest problem in this country has been Congress who we have trusted and entrusted with our very lives for years, The “Modern” Congress has successfully conned us into believing they are working for us through politispeak and innuendo. We as voters need to pursue the idea of rotating the Congressional membership as regularly as we change the President and to look at them with as critical an eye.

Exactly !!


The recent protests in cities across the Nation point out the frustration of the people against the established bankers and related organizations. Even though our Congress is as much at fault (if not more) no protests have mounted against them. Our Congressional and legislative groups (nationwide) have allowed many of these problems to go unresolved or noticed until now. The Congress has spent precious time shadow boxing with the president than actually doing what the are elected to do. Politics is not the way to run a country even though the legislature seems to think so. The way to successfully Govern is to pay attention to the people and form a plan that benefits all. There will always be people who are not happy with the status quo and they range from the poorest to the richest yet our Congress appears to cater to the wealthiest while campaigning for the votes of the poorest.Our nationwide protesters while having the right to protest and demonstrate have been infiltrated by the baser segment of our society who at any other time are the people we see engaging in criminal activities before the protests and now during as cover for their bad acts.My fear is that Law enforcement will have to confront the demonstrators in stronger manner due these bad actors creating another “Kent State” scenario.