Where is the Stimulus?

A small dose of reality crept into my closed mind the other day. My 15 year old son told me of an online friend who was suddenly becoming flush with money. The friend, as the story goes, obtained a tele-communicator job calling applicants to relay the bad news that, “No, there is no Stimulus help for you.” As my son told the story, his online friend was relishing the power of shutting down the protests of the Stimulus hopeful. At this point in the conversation, my son was impressed that his young 20s something friend was making a whopping $17 per hour while enjoying the power of telling people, “Sorry, sucker!”

Let me ask you this: Can you turn on your computer, enter the internet, and not be barraged by promises of Stimulus money? “Obama wants mothers to go back to college!” and “Mortgage interest rates are at an historical low!” Egads, maybe that Stimulus Plan is going to save the world.

My daughter recently lost her home. Yep, it was probably a stretch that shouldn’t have been made. But nope, she did not obtain the mortgage based on an adjustable rate mortgage. She got the good old fashioned kind of loan with a fixed rate based on being a first time buyer attributed a certain income. The mistake? Well, the bank included “child support” as real income. Unfortunately, in the real world, a biological father doesn’t actually have to pay child support, unless they’re honest and genuinely want to support the children they sired. In any event, should the support not materialize, the assumed income is not there. Not “there” means insufficient funds to pay one’s indebtedness. That’s not the government’s fault, nor is it in any stretch of the imagination the taxpayer’s liability. Still, if this Stimulus Bill is designed to help those who are struggling get their feet underneath them, maintain stability for their children, and continue moving away from the road to poverty and welfare, would it be worthy of consideration to have one’s loan rate be lowered a percentage point or so? Apparently not.

In querying several people of desperate circumstances, I’ve not found any person who has received, or been given any hope of, the potential of debt relief. I have run across one person who is a well-to-do investor who has been given easy loans to buy rental homes on speculation. Why? He is not a risk. At all. While I can’t fault this person for his excellent judgment which enabled him to get where he is, I thought the Stimulus Plan was going to help, not only the economy in general, but struggling people who had a chance of recovering.

Lest this sound like a personal grudge about my daughter, allow me to get back to the online friend. What disturbs me about this story? The bank which hired this young woman created a job. That job will then be reported as “job growth” in the face of unemployment statistics. What tangible commodity is being created by this job? Nothing. She calls people in crisis and tells them the bad news (relishing in the power of doing so). Where is the bank obtaining the money for this new job? I could be wrong, but common sense tells me they are using Stimulus money to finance it. What will become of this job? It will vanish when the applicants for Stimulus relief have been extinquished. From where does this Stimulus money come? From you and me, the taxpayers. So, in summary, we are taxing ourselves to tell ourselves we can’t have our money. Not only that, despite seeing the obvious effects of unemployment all around us, we cling to the hope that Washington tells us there was an increase in job creation.

Granted, my reflections are not based on a wide-based study. On the other hand, I cannot ignore my own intellect. With my ear to the ground in my community, I know of more and more people who are unemployed and struggling. I know of not one person in need who has received assistance or the promise therein, of Stimulus money. I hear that the Administration is claiming victory in “new jobs” although all accounts - conservative and liberal - cite government jobs as being those created. In the private sector, a new job created? I guess so. One in which the employee gets to tell people in need, “No.”

Still Puzzled by the Anti-Glen Becks

I still don’t understand the anti-Glen Beck emotion. In watching him on an episode this week, he blasted Republicans and Democrats equally. In reviewing the topics of this particular show, he:

Pointed out that the government is spending 7 times its income. Beck raised the question, “What if your spouse spent 7 times more than what you earned each month?” How can anyone find fault with that question and analogy? The graph depicted began in 1970. The income spending lines diverged in 1975 and continued to separate throughout Republican and Democrat presidents. In 2006, the income line dove as the spending line went vertical. Bush was in the White House and the Democrats took control in Congress. However, Beck never cites Bush as good while Obama is bad. His ongoing pounding on the drum is this: our government is out of control and out of touch with the American people. What is there to hate in that?

Another segment of the show touched on how the House version of National Health Care included jail time for people who refused to obtain coverage. Speaker Pelosi was questioned about it, and she did not deny it. No, Pelosi said the bill would treat the matter fairly. Let me ask you this: Whether you are in favor of national health care or not, are you in favor of seeing fellow Americans go to jail for refusing to purchase a government plan if they don’t have a private plan? This, while illegal aliens are guaranteed medical coverage under emergency plans? Beck’s pointing this out brings awareness to a legitimate sticking point in a bill prior to it becoming law. What’s the hate in that?

Another segment dealt with Obama’s delaying decision of action in Afghanistan. Where are all the war protestors? Why aren’t people holding Obama’s feet to the fire for promising, during the campaign, that if elected, he would have US troops out of Iraq in seven months. Yes, he promised that; check the records. It’s important to examine history. Those of us old enough to remember Viet Nam remember how painful the lesson was that Congress cannot win wars - the military wins wars. When you tie their hands behind their backs, the news is filled with body bags being emptied from cargo planes. The Soviet’s 9 year stint in Afghanistan is sometimes called their “Viet Nam.” At the time, the Soviets had no real restraints in practicing warfare within the confines of “human rights.” With American being scrutinized at every turn, and a government that doesn’t have a clue as to strategy (let alone exit strategy) what in the world are we doing putting one more American life in harm’s way? If it were your son or daughter, would you be willing for them to die for this “cause”? Is Beck to be hated for bringing Obama’s indecision to the attention of uninformed or undecided Americans?

To tell you the truth, Glen Beck is the only broadcaster I see who is truly trying to educate his listeners and viewers. Instead of discussing which entitlement program needs to go, he spends time trying to get his audience to understand a basic concept: “We’re spending far more than we earn, our jobs are disappearing, and this debt will be carried by ourselves, our children, and their children - while Congress continues to spend money at an ever increasing pace.” At that point, it becomes obvious that we need to do something. Beck doesn’t tell us what to do. He outlines the problem, the crisis, and expects us to care to be involved. How can you hate that?

Again, I’m largely convinced that people who say they hate Glen Beck have not given him a chance. I would challenge those of you who haven’t done so, but are convinced Beck is a wack job, to put your judgement to the test. Listen to what the man says. He loves this country, and is acting as a voice warning of an oncoming catastrophe.

Congressional Term Limits Now

George Washington was right - Having competing parties would lead to problems in our country. "However combinations or associations of the above description (political parties) may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion."

If I were the emperor god of the political world, there are so many changes I would change. For starters, it would be a requirement that elected and appointed officials had to be able to pass a rigorous test covering the content of the US Constitution. Secondly, just like in most businesses, employees are required to take refresher courses on law and ethics of their particular specialty, those same government officials would be required to revisit the underlying reasons for the inclusion of those contents of the Constitution. And most importantly, they would be required to know what the Declaration of Independence stated was the purpose for having government in the first place: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. That to secure those rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...”

I find it reprehensible what has happened to our government which was once the envy of the world. Party Bosses control who gets a chance. Then, special interest groups of every variety step in, pledging money with strings attached. The media controls what we’re allowed to know about the candidate. Because we, as people, devote limited attention to what’s going on, we focus all our attention on the presidential race and very little attention on the most powerful branch of government: Congress. Once in, 100 members of the Senate and 435 members of the House are essentially shrouded in anonymity. They conjure up rules and committees and bills that can’t possibly be understood by the man or woman on the street. In back rooms, they exchange favors and attach riders to bills completely unrelated to the content of the rider. Committees often refuse to allow bills leave the room despite knowing the public supports it. They’ve learned their trade well and know all the tricks to direct traffic and hide their corruption.

Congress is the body of government that determines our economy. The House of Representatives originates bills involving taxation. It is Congress who approves the budget. It is Congress which declares war. It is Congress that has the power to accept or reject presidential appointments. Congress writes the laws. Congress orders investigations. Congress overrides the power of veto. And it is Congress which has the sole authority for impeachment of government officials.

It has become clear to me that Congress is not really interested in the People anymore. Madam Pelosi belittles 50% of the American people by calling them dangerous and an astroturf movement. Lines of communication designed to allow constituents to contact their representatives are shut down, and responses, if any, are boiler plate explanations of “thank you” but here’s what we’re going to do anyway. Town Hall meetings are canceled due to unruly protestors.

The answer to this? Term limits in Congress. Far too many members of Congress are “lifers.” They get in, learn to play the game, brown nose those in power (or are sidelined until they learn how the cow at the cabbage), pay their dues, become power brokers in their own respect, and become indoctrinated to “the Washington Way.”

We need to clean house. Republicans and Democrats. We need fresh blood - people who have actually had real jobs, and a variety of jobs as opposed to a steady parade of attorneys. People who go to DC with ideals of actually representing the People, and don’t stay long enough to become jaded and handled. We need candidates who are more concerned with doing what is right than in flying around in billion dollar jets while telling the public they have to be green.

I don’t think Congress can actually see the forest through the trees anymore. I mean, how hypocritical is it to pretend we’re concerned about the world while we won’t drill for oil in our own backyard but we don’t mind if we buy it from somebody else who does? And while we give away our country to China, how stupid are we to think they won’t take advantage of ALL the natural resources found within our borders. Why in the world are we asking soldiers to risk their life in Afghanistan or come back as an amputee when we won’t give them the resources and authority to win? With the firepower and technology our country has, why the hell can’t we keep the illegals and drug lords on their side of the border and let Mexico clean itself up? For years, I’ve listened to liberals bash conservatives about America going around nation building - for purely selfish motives. I’m sick to death of people feeling apologetic for our country. I say, bring the soldiers home and use those who volunteer for active duty to shut down our borders to anyone attempting to come here illegally and take advantage of tax paid services.

Here’s an interesting footnote: I started to rant about Muslims being in our country who offered no apology for the misrepresentation of Islam after 9/11 and terrorism a la jihad in general. I looked at my writing and thought - “You’re over the top.” I got home, turned on the news to find that a convert to Islam had committed the largest atrocity to US soldiers on a US base in the history of the country. Major Nidal Malik Hasan opened fire on US soldiers graduating, ceremonies had been delayed due to their service overseas, killing 12 and injuring another 31. The guy is a psychiatrist. I thought Islam was supposed to be a religion of peace. Will the existing churches of Islam enjoying the freedom of religion come out and condemn the major’s actions as being totally inconsistent with their teachings, or will they remain silent? Will the Rev. Jeremiah Wright tells us that this is another case of the chickens coming home to roost? (Sometimes I can’t tell where black theology and Islam begin and end.)

But I digress - big time. Admittedly, this blog is a rant, but it’s just the way I am feeling today. Pretty much tired of trying to help a thankless Third World, I’m ready to bring our troops home while they still live - especially if our goal is muddied and they’re at the whims of politics in Washington, DC. Such was the setting of Viet Nam, and that proved disastrous. We actually need their help here: I’m sick and tired of looking at graffiti inspired by the gang mentality of Mexico. Continuing to have southwestern states live in the fear shadow of drug cartels seems ludicrous when we have the means to protect our own borders. Allowing an influx into the US of people who practice a religion of hatred toward Western philosophy seems suicidal, and yet we practice it to prove we embrace diversity. The proverbial shit is hitting the fan at an ever increasing pace, and I can reconcile my own plight by thinking that I may well die before the collapse actually happens. But what about my children? What about my grandchildren? And more importantly, what about the sacrifices of those who fought for this great country to exist in the first place?

Congress is the key to the future of the US. We cannot allow them to remain anonymous. We cannot allow them to recline in the comfort of a lifetime incumbancy. Change is required, and that change will only be required through term limitation.