Somthing to think about

The other day on the news I saw Dennis Kucinich speaking on government and why he should be re-elected. Much of it was the usual political clap trap not really saying anything. There was one statement that got me thinking, He said the purpose of government is to do for people what they can't do for themselves. This immediately makes me think of roads or defense but it has come to mean much more than that in fact Kucinich's list included housing, health care, and food.

Now one of the beauties of our nation are found in the words of our founding fathers all men are created equal endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I think I can state that most people will agree whole heartedly with the above sentiment. Why then do people insist that things like Housing and food or even health care are the states responsibility. Being that all men are created equal and also agreeing that the state should take care of the things that people can't do on their own. Means that in the vast majority of cases people shouldn't be provided by the state with any of these things because we have example all across the nation of people providing for their selves in these areas. We are created equal and our opportunities should be equal this is the states responsibility. When the state decides to provide basics to people not only do they distort the budget they steal opportunities from people. People lose the opportunity to do for them selves stealing their chance to feel the satisfaction of achievement that is available to everyone who puts their mind to it.

Disparity

Much has been being made of the wealth disparity in America. There are 14 percent of the population living in poverty and 38 percent of the wealth is controlled by 1 percent of the population. While the poverty numbers are a bit disturbing I believe the wealth numbers are thrown out to drive a wedge between people especially rich and poor.

There is nothing nefarious about the increase in the concentration of wealth. in fact I would say that this is entirely natural and should have been expected. I say this because we are entering in to the time that we have been hearing for years would wreak havoc with social security. Yes the dreaded coming retirement of the Baby Boomers. Something we've all been overlooking is the natural progression that happens with time. In our twenties we all are poor just starting out we have many expenditures because we basically have nothing and need many basic necessities. It's also a time when student loans and new families bog down are budgets. However as time goes on into are thirties and forties we start to pay off loans and accumulate possessions. By the time we're in our fifties we don't have mass quantities of things to buy and money starts to be less of a worry. This massive section of the population the Baby Boomers is now exiting the work force after many years of prime earning of course this huge section of the population has pushed the ranks of the wealthy to new heights.

Instead of being distraught over this concentration of wealth we should be glad for those who have achieved the American dream of success. Seeing this as a sign that people still can reach these heights through hard work and perseverance.

Pending legislation

I was sent an email today by my brother telling me to watch out for HR4646. HR4646 is a resolution implementing a 1% transaction fee when ever money changes hands. In effect it amounts to 1% percent minimum, direct deposit 1 percent, ATM 1 percent, buy something 1 percent. Of course the resolution does promise to end the income tax in 2017, of course I wouldn't put a whole lot of faith in a politicians promises. This is known as the debt free America act, I know it sounds kind of benign but beware.

The real way to be debt free is to stop spending money.

Housing

Congress in an effort to get the housing market moving has convened a panel to study the issue. One of the proposals that was made is to make first time home buyers buy a mandatory insurance. Not regular homeowners insurance but insurance against damage and repairs that might be considered maintenance.The idea being that an unexpected repair could put undue strain on their budgets. So at a time when homes are extremely hard to sell and new construction is almost at a standstill they want to put another impediment in the path of first time buyers. Most people who have bought a house remember how tight money was coming up with down payments and closing costs. The added expense of an insurance that is bound to be expensive or useless is libel to be the tipping point that keeps people from buying.

Differences

For the past two years we've heard how mean spirited Republicans are being towards Pres. Obama. This mean spirited behaviour is generally aimed at policies that Rep. find disagreeable. I submit that there is a time and a place for spirited disagreement and political functions are fair game. Contrast this to last nights episode of Dancing with the Stars. Sarah Palin was in the audience to watch her daughter compete. Between dances ABC decided to interview Sarah about what she thought of the competition so far. She was booed loud enough so that it could be heard back stage.

A time and a place for everything, so I ask you who is really mean spirited.

Update: What appeared to be the audience booing Sarah Palin is being denied by ABC and new video evidence seems to confirm this.

Bloated Government

For years our government has been taking in a bigger percentage of the population. Both parties say the government is too big and we keep hoping one party or the other will act to reduce the the size of our government. Obviously the Obama-Pelosi-Reid administration is working in the other direction growing our government through new health care and environmental panels and commissions. I won't argue the merits of either set of programs here.

Talking with the boss the other day he advocated just loping out 50% of the government employees. Great this will reduce the government in one fell swoop the only problem is what do we do with millions of more people that would be unemployed. I prefer a more judicious approach and I believe the baby boom generation can hand us this reduction. We all dread the burden the mass retirement of the baby boomers and what this means to social security and our economy. Why not look at this as an opportunity mandating no new hires letting the retirement of baby boomers reduce the government in a slow methodical way. Combine this with a review of existing programs eliminating antiquated and ineffective programs. This stream lining may even allow us to reallocate funds to cover our s.s. obligations without crippling new taxes.

Green Jobs

As Obama Runs around the country pushing his economic plans to help the economy and put people back to work he often cites Green technology. Yep windmills and electric cars the government wants them and this new technology will add jobs. Even the lowly incandescent bulb has fallen to the greener cfl compact fluorescent so that we can save electricity and add jobs. Of course there is a price these bulbs are much more expensive and produce an inferior light. It turns out though that were really lightening our wallets and ruining our eyes only to actually lose jobs. You see as they quit making the old bulbs they close the plants putting more people out of work and import the new bulbs from China.

Good thing the government is pushing this green technology, that will put us back to work Not.