Okay, I get this question from time to time. And it is a valid one. Because, heck, you know I have a lot to say.
But here is the thing. I have to make a living. That is part of the bottom line. The other part, which is pretty much related to the first part, is that I don't want this blog to get a rep as just some lame spouting off of gripes.
What I mean by that is, I want to not only let you know what is REALLY happening so you can make an informed decision without relying on all the SPIN that is out there, I want you to have ACCURATE information so you can make those truly informed decisions.
I am not one of those talking head types, that will spout off the latest and greatest SPIN from their side and TELL you what to think. I actually want you to think for yourself. In order to do that, I want to give you the real deal. I want to offer you sources to look stuff up yourself, and then THINK FOR YOURSELF, instead of just regurgitating what all the HIGHLY paid political consultants (i.e. THE SPIN DOCTORS). And that includes me. I don't want you to just take my word for things.
Which means I need to know what the hell I am talking about in the first place.
I did this with the old version of this blog (same name, different web location). And it is what I did when I published the book (Thinking Out Loud - The Book). I added, researched and made available all the resources I based my rants on. So you can look them up. Even four years later. Because I want you to avoid the SPIN this time around.
And all this takes time. Sometimes time I do not have since I am trying to make money to pay the bills. I have my Examiner articles to write. I am trying to write more for ImperfectParent.com so they don't fire me. I am working with clients in the real world doing media blitzes and PR and press releases and blog stuff associated with my business (Reynolds Publishing Company). Plus I am working on some more e-Books (Catharsis is now out in eBook-land - KOBO and soon Barnes & Noble), with fingers crossed people will actually buy them.
Anyway, not to leave this as all about me, me , me . . . but it is, you know. Just kidding. I will leave you with a few thoughts.
The lowering unemployment numbers the President, press and liberal SPIN miesters are all touting do not tell the true story about unemployment in America.
The truth is halfway between what they are saying and what the other side is saying. Jobs are slowly coming back. Mostly because business is getting tired of waiting for Washington to stop farting around with this legislation and that new tax schedule. They are doing what business does, taking a risk and expanding or re-hiring or whatever they need to do to succeed.
But also there is still millions out there without jobs going on three years now. Their unemployment benefits (which truly cannot last forever no matter what the Dems and libs want - and I know of what I speak because I am one who never even received unemployment all this time since Nov '09) are running out but still have no jobs. So they are turning to the next government option. They are applying for social security disability insurance. Like these people in Ohio. 21,200 claims this year. Even the Huffington Post has recognized this trend to use social security disability as the new unemployment benefits.
So all those people who tout the dropping numbers from the unemployment rolls are not telling you that the numbers filing claims (and over taxing a system not meant to handle this many claims) are on the rise.
Well, I was going to rant on about ENDORSEMENTS being nothing but a job application and not something you should take seriously, even if you like the person is making the endorsement. Because they are only doing it to INFLUENCE your vote and thus get themselves a new government job with the new President or whatever. Seriously, what should you care about who THEY are going to vote for? Voting is both a personal thing and BIG responsibility. You know, like Jim DeMint (R-SC) endorsing Newt or Mitt or whoever. None of the GOP candidates would fall into his acceptance (given his past record and public views). But if he endorses someone, then he is SELLING out for a new job. not for your benefit. So, if I were to talk about this ENDORSEMENT thing, I'd say DON'T FALL FOR IT!!!!!!
Anyway, as usual, agree or disagree with me. (But maybe buy my eBooks so I can spend more time here - I like it here.) It (the agreeing or disagreeing thing) doesn't matter to me either way. SO long as I get you to think for yourselves and AVOID THE SPIN, then I have done my job. Stop being sheep and following people who have no interest in YOUR best interest, only theirs. But heck, this is just me, Thinking out Loud.
Have a great day.
Charles
Showing posts with label demint. Show all posts
Showing posts with label demint. Show all posts
Friday, January 13, 2012
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Politicians writing books - good thing or bad??
Barack Obama, author. Jimmy Carter, author. Bill AND Hilary Clinton, George W, Bush Sr, Al Franken, Sarah Palin, Jim DeMint, Newt Gingrich, Al Gore, and a slew of other politicians . . . all authors. I could include John McCain in that list, except it is a pretty well established belief that Mark Salter actually wrote the books while John gave him all the details. Although, most of these books probably had a ghost writer in the mix somewhere.
The point is, if these politicians have so much time to go ahead and write books, why can't they get things going in the area for which they were actually hired. I can defend some of the authors here, like Clinton and Bush and Palin, who wrote these tomes AFTER the fact. But even with them, why did they save their best toil and sweat for themselves? Couldn't they have expended such energies on serving the public and getting things right in the Legislature, Supreme Court, and Executive Branches?
As much as I like Palin and DeMint, were books really necessary?
Am I serious?
Of course not. Really, what does it matter? Why would we care if they make millions more by exploiting their previous (or current) political offices?
Maybe because, as a writer, it makes it harder for us "normal" folk to get anyone to look at us seriously when we submit to an agent or a publishing house? How can we get editors to look at our column or opinion submissions when the likes of Sen. DeMint write opinion pieces for the Wall Street Journal? How can lowly mainstream stringers or alternate media journalists compete against the Ron Paul's of the political world when they want to get a piece published in the Washington Times? Or how can we mere mortal scribes go up against such powerhouses like Sarah Palin, who, at the mere mention of her name with a book, gets it another 100 million copies potentially sold?
But other than that, what does it matter? Does John Q. and Jane Q. Public care?
They seem to do just that. But for the wrong reason. They care because they can't wait to get their hands on or debate about or argue from a new book by a politician.
The real reason, and yes the real reason I am writing about this, is that most of these books try to explain what they would have, could have or should have done while in office. Yet they did not. Sen. DeMint's latest tome, The Great American Awakening: Two Years that Changed America, Washington, & Me, discusses everything from the consequences of the years since President Obama's election win for the White House to legislation and the grassroots movement of Americans being "stirred" to make changes in DC. And even though he has been a whirlwind of activity in the midterm elections and getting sound bites on the news that have gotten him the label of "Senator Tea Party," he still has not done much in the way of shaping leadership and opposition to the wrong path America is steaming full force down.
As much as I applaud anyone's individual efforts to improve their situation and their family's situation, as well as their work in securing a legacy, I do wish our political figures would stick with the business of running this country instead of making certain to run this country into the ground. I wish we could have serious people who take seriously the business of America. I wish we could get the Pelosi's, Reids, McConnells, Clyburns and all the rest of these poll eyed, publicity hound, re-election minded jerks off the book tours and back into the chambers of politics where they can sit down, work together and get this country back to the grand hope it has always represented in the hearts and minds of its citizens and the rest of the world. Let their publicists or their lackeys or their community liaison people do the public opinion thing, do the "feel for the pulse of the people" thing, or run the "get me re-elected" thing. Sit down, balance the pros and cons, and get America running again. Stop the leak of our economy, stop the fizzling of our international reputation, get jobs going, stop spending more than we have (in other words do what average Americans are having to do every day) and make Americans proud to be Americans.
You can agree or disagree. Call me a crack pot, whiner or misdirected. Or call me brilliant and right on target. Or even something in between. It really makes no matter to me. So long as I get you thinking for yourself and not listening to the rhetoric of anyone else, then I have indeed done my job. Because heck, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.
Have a great day.
Charles
The point is, if these politicians have so much time to go ahead and write books, why can't they get things going in the area for which they were actually hired. I can defend some of the authors here, like Clinton and Bush and Palin, who wrote these tomes AFTER the fact. But even with them, why did they save their best toil and sweat for themselves? Couldn't they have expended such energies on serving the public and getting things right in the Legislature, Supreme Court, and Executive Branches?
As much as I like Palin and DeMint, were books really necessary?
Am I serious?
Of course not. Really, what does it matter? Why would we care if they make millions more by exploiting their previous (or current) political offices?
Maybe because, as a writer, it makes it harder for us "normal" folk to get anyone to look at us seriously when we submit to an agent or a publishing house? How can we get editors to look at our column or opinion submissions when the likes of Sen. DeMint write opinion pieces for the Wall Street Journal? How can lowly mainstream stringers or alternate media journalists compete against the Ron Paul's of the political world when they want to get a piece published in the Washington Times? Or how can we mere mortal scribes go up against such powerhouses like Sarah Palin, who, at the mere mention of her name with a book, gets it another 100 million copies potentially sold?
But other than that, what does it matter? Does John Q. and Jane Q. Public care?
They seem to do just that. But for the wrong reason. They care because they can't wait to get their hands on or debate about or argue from a new book by a politician.
The real reason, and yes the real reason I am writing about this, is that most of these books try to explain what they would have, could have or should have done while in office. Yet they did not. Sen. DeMint's latest tome, The Great American Awakening: Two Years that Changed America, Washington, & Me, discusses everything from the consequences of the years since President Obama's election win for the White House to legislation and the grassroots movement of Americans being "stirred" to make changes in DC. And even though he has been a whirlwind of activity in the midterm elections and getting sound bites on the news that have gotten him the label of "Senator Tea Party," he still has not done much in the way of shaping leadership and opposition to the wrong path America is steaming full force down.
As much as I applaud anyone's individual efforts to improve their situation and their family's situation, as well as their work in securing a legacy, I do wish our political figures would stick with the business of running this country instead of making certain to run this country into the ground. I wish we could have serious people who take seriously the business of America. I wish we could get the Pelosi's, Reids, McConnells, Clyburns and all the rest of these poll eyed, publicity hound, re-election minded jerks off the book tours and back into the chambers of politics where they can sit down, work together and get this country back to the grand hope it has always represented in the hearts and minds of its citizens and the rest of the world. Let their publicists or their lackeys or their community liaison people do the public opinion thing, do the "feel for the pulse of the people" thing, or run the "get me re-elected" thing. Sit down, balance the pros and cons, and get America running again. Stop the leak of our economy, stop the fizzling of our international reputation, get jobs going, stop spending more than we have (in other words do what average Americans are having to do every day) and make Americans proud to be Americans.
You can agree or disagree. Call me a crack pot, whiner or misdirected. Or call me brilliant and right on target. Or even something in between. It really makes no matter to me. So long as I get you thinking for yourself and not listening to the rhetoric of anyone else, then I have indeed done my job. Because heck, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.
Have a great day.
Charles
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Earmarks and other issues
Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) is right. Earmarks must stop. But the point of this, like many other issues, still eludes our lawmakers.
It is not simply the earmarks that are the problem. It is the whole process that is involved in earmarks. And if you are uncertain what earmarks are, here is a quick refresher.
Earmarks are the money legislation directed to specific states by specific lawmakers to bring money back to their districts and states, added onto bills that have nothing to do with the earmark in question. For instance, a bill is written to make trucker's hours lower so the roads are safer. A Congressman in Florida wants to have a turtle habitat built in his district. So, after the bill is voted on as for the trucker hours, he adds an addendum to the bill which is NOT debated NOR voted on. The bill then goes its normal route through the House and Senate. If approved, it goes to the President's desk for a signature. If the bill fails, the lawmaker can say he tried to get money for his constituents, but the evil [insert other party here] killed it. Which, he/she says is why you need to re-elect him/her and vote the [insert evil other party here again] needs to be voted out.
If, on the other hand, it makes it through to law, the money gets sent and the turtle habitat is then built and he/she can l;ay claim to bringing money and/or jobs to the district.
The problem, aside from the sleaziness of doing government business on the taxpayer's dime like this, is that it is how billions of $$$ are spent without any oversight.
The reason regular Americans (and by regular I mean NOT politicians) want these earmarks stopped is that many things are snuck past the people of this country without our knowledge, consent or desire.
The stimulus and the healthcare were two of the biggest loads of crap that did this in the recent history of this country. But it is something that happens ALL THE TIME. And this is what Americans object to. Its not just the occasional useless turtle habitat (or in the real case, a turtle crossing in Florida), it is the way government is being run.
Americans want accountability. From our Congress, our President and our Justice system. Americans want to know what those in Washington are doing. Not just with our money, but with our country. Americans want the secret backdoor meetings to stop. Americans want a window open on and a high intensity light to be shone on all the activities by our elected officials.
From the Cornhusker Kickback to the earmarks in legislation. How hard is it to tackle an issue of legislative necessity without all the add-ons and ridiculous debate that has nothing to do with anything. Stop the 'I'll-vote-for-your-casino-bill-in-Utah-if-you-vote-for-my-gay-rights-bill-in-Cleveland-and-only-if-we-can-combine-the-two-with-the-solar-panel-project-in-Des Moines' mentality.
If a bill is about regulating the housing industry, it should not include a path to citizenship for illegals. If is about approving a budget for the military it should not have anything in it about abortion. The latest mutation of the ages old earmark practice has become about social re-engineering of a country.
After the recent election, the people in Washington, and around the world, need to receive the correct message.
It was not about stopping the Democrat's agenda. It was not about putting Republicans back in power. It was not about a referendum on the President, Speaker Pelosi or any other high ranking politician.
Individually, it was about that. But overall it was about the re-assertion of the power of the American public. It was a proof of life that the American people are awake and not sitting idly by while individuals in our government, or governments and entities around the world, dictate what happens in this country. Although we are a representative republic and not a true democracy, the power is, and has always been, in the hands of the American people.
And this midterm election was about reminding everyone that the people can and will shape their own destiny. We don't need government in our lives telling when, why and for how long to go to the bathroom. We don't need government telling us how much we can make and what we should or shouldn't teach our children. We don't need government chose our healthcare provider or doctor or lawyer or lightbulb maker.
Government is there to be a central focus of our needs, not the other way around.
It is easy to see how they came to believe that we work for them. I mean we work for half a year just to pay into the taxes every year. (Some said it was April 9th this year, others say May 30th or June 8th.) And they spend MILLIONS and hundreds of MILLIONS to get a job that only pays thousands. So it is easy to see how they think WE owe THEM. But it is not the case. And America has spoken loud and clear. Whether through the TEA party (and not any organized version thereof) or through the vote on November 2nd, America has said, enough is enough. Stop the nonsense of overspending, taxing, earmarks, social engineering, free passes for illegal immigrants and all the other stuff you have been ramming down our throats for years. If you don't wise up, we'll vote you out, too!
Now, as usual, you can agree or disagree, and I can go on waxing on the topic if need be until I am understood, but it doesn't really matter what I think. What matters is that you wake up, are awake, and are able to see for yourself through the PR spin and fancy mumbo jumbo of people who really do not have OUR interests in heart no matter what they say. Think for yourself and I will have done my job. But hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.
have a great day! God bless America!
It is not simply the earmarks that are the problem. It is the whole process that is involved in earmarks. And if you are uncertain what earmarks are, here is a quick refresher.
Earmarks are the money legislation directed to specific states by specific lawmakers to bring money back to their districts and states, added onto bills that have nothing to do with the earmark in question. For instance, a bill is written to make trucker's hours lower so the roads are safer. A Congressman in Florida wants to have a turtle habitat built in his district. So, after the bill is voted on as for the trucker hours, he adds an addendum to the bill which is NOT debated NOR voted on. The bill then goes its normal route through the House and Senate. If approved, it goes to the President's desk for a signature. If the bill fails, the lawmaker can say he tried to get money for his constituents, but the evil [insert other party here] killed it. Which, he/she says is why you need to re-elect him/her and vote the [insert evil other party here again] needs to be voted out.
If, on the other hand, it makes it through to law, the money gets sent and the turtle habitat is then built and he/she can l;ay claim to bringing money and/or jobs to the district.
The problem, aside from the sleaziness of doing government business on the taxpayer's dime like this, is that it is how billions of $$$ are spent without any oversight.
The reason regular Americans (and by regular I mean NOT politicians) want these earmarks stopped is that many things are snuck past the people of this country without our knowledge, consent or desire.
The stimulus and the healthcare were two of the biggest loads of crap that did this in the recent history of this country. But it is something that happens ALL THE TIME. And this is what Americans object to. Its not just the occasional useless turtle habitat (or in the real case, a turtle crossing in Florida), it is the way government is being run.
Americans want accountability. From our Congress, our President and our Justice system. Americans want to know what those in Washington are doing. Not just with our money, but with our country. Americans want the secret backdoor meetings to stop. Americans want a window open on and a high intensity light to be shone on all the activities by our elected officials.
From the Cornhusker Kickback to the earmarks in legislation. How hard is it to tackle an issue of legislative necessity without all the add-ons and ridiculous debate that has nothing to do with anything. Stop the 'I'll-vote-for-your-casino-bill-in-Utah-if-you-vote-for-my-gay-rights-bill-in-Cleveland-and-only-if-we-can-combine-the-two-with-the-solar-panel-project-in-Des Moines' mentality.
If a bill is about regulating the housing industry, it should not include a path to citizenship for illegals. If is about approving a budget for the military it should not have anything in it about abortion. The latest mutation of the ages old earmark practice has become about social re-engineering of a country.
After the recent election, the people in Washington, and around the world, need to receive the correct message.
It was not about stopping the Democrat's agenda. It was not about putting Republicans back in power. It was not about a referendum on the President, Speaker Pelosi or any other high ranking politician.
Individually, it was about that. But overall it was about the re-assertion of the power of the American public. It was a proof of life that the American people are awake and not sitting idly by while individuals in our government, or governments and entities around the world, dictate what happens in this country. Although we are a representative republic and not a true democracy, the power is, and has always been, in the hands of the American people.
And this midterm election was about reminding everyone that the people can and will shape their own destiny. We don't need government in our lives telling when, why and for how long to go to the bathroom. We don't need government telling us how much we can make and what we should or shouldn't teach our children. We don't need government chose our healthcare provider or doctor or lawyer or lightbulb maker.
Government is there to be a central focus of our needs, not the other way around.
It is easy to see how they came to believe that we work for them. I mean we work for half a year just to pay into the taxes every year. (Some said it was April 9th this year, others say May 30th or June 8th.) And they spend MILLIONS and hundreds of MILLIONS to get a job that only pays thousands. So it is easy to see how they think WE owe THEM. But it is not the case. And America has spoken loud and clear. Whether through the TEA party (and not any organized version thereof) or through the vote on November 2nd, America has said, enough is enough. Stop the nonsense of overspending, taxing, earmarks, social engineering, free passes for illegal immigrants and all the other stuff you have been ramming down our throats for years. If you don't wise up, we'll vote you out, too!
Now, as usual, you can agree or disagree, and I can go on waxing on the topic if need be until I am understood, but it doesn't really matter what I think. What matters is that you wake up, are awake, and are able to see for yourself through the PR spin and fancy mumbo jumbo of people who really do not have OUR interests in heart no matter what they say. Think for yourself and I will have done my job. But hey, this is just me, Thinking Out Loud.
have a great day! God bless America!
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