Common Ground
A homeowner in Waukesha for 20 years, Steve is president of the Waukesha Dog Parks Organization and enjoys motorcycling, fishing and staying on top of politics.
Some Quotes To Remember And The Protests
During supper last night, I got a recorded phone call from Joe-The-Plumber. Remember Joe? He was the fellow that then campaigning Obama walked up to and started a conversation. It is when Obama responded, "We need to, you know, spread the wealth around". It got me to thinking. The teachers and other public figures have gotten more than their share of "the wealth". Let's face it, pay and benefits have been and likely will be based on percentages. These protesters have it much better, percentage wise, than the people who pay for same. It is time for them to spread their wealth around by coming back to earth.
County Does Not Need To Support Arizona
Eric Holder, our country's Attorney General blurted out that he was against the Arizona illegal immigrant law but admitted that he had not read the bill. A Milwaukee County Supervisor, speaking in favor of Milwaukee boycotting Arizona, stands and babbles that she cannot understand the need for the Arizona bill because Arizona is far removed from the Mexican boarder. Uh, you DO know that it does, I hope.
Do You Want A Sex Offender Next Door?
I admit that my headline is a trap. However, the community has made it clear that they'd rather not have any sex offenders here at all. We keep track of them pretty well. We also keep pretty good track of others that have had criminal pasts. When it comes to criminals, we don't have much of a forgive and forget attitude, do we?
The Yearly Tax Rant
It has been determined that in the recently years, less and less people pay personal income tax. It is now that 47% of the population no longer pay income taxes. Does that mean we’ve become a poorer nation? No. It is the result of tax credits and continued loopholes that allow a person living very well to pay no taxes, besides those with little income and meager resources.
Health-care and Lawnmowers
A recently settled class action lawsuit against local small engine manufacturer Briggs and Stratton reflects one of the problems with health-care.
Nelson And Scrima All Wet On Water?
One wants water from Lake Michigan. One wants every quarry and pothole in the ground used as water reservoirs. Two very different extremes, but neither really mattering as it is overlooked that our Aldermen are really the ones who make the decision.
You're Poisoning Me!
Since life itself began, there has been a symbiotic relation between animal life and plant life. Animals exhale carbon dioxide and plant life uses it to create and expel oxygen.
They Still Think Taxes Are The Solution
No society has taxed itself into prosperity. In Saturday's Journal editorial page, the Journal's editors choose an editorial cartoon that implied that if you believe this to be true, you have either no brains or a lack of them. You see, that statement is one made by Rush Limbaugh in one of his 35 undeniable truths. Some seem outrageous, to liberals, but when thought through, there is truth to each one.
Expensive Clunker Costs and Jobs
So, how much did it cost you, the taxpayer for each of the $3,500 to $4,500 credits for each Cash For Clunkers sale? $24,000, according to Jeremy Anwyl, CEO of Edmunds.com, an automotive consumer organization that is often referenced by auto makers for awards that they may have earned. This is about the average cost of the whole car that was purchased in the typical transaction.
Obama Won't Be Rushed On Afghanistan
President Obama said he will not rush his decision on whether to send more troops to Afghanistan, telling a crowd of U.S. troops, "I won't risk your lives unless it is absolutely necessary."
Playing the President and First Lady?
Many opinion pieces are going around about Obama playing President rather than being President. I've thought that he should hire Dick Cheney as some kind of "ghost President". Here's something that should make us all think.
Quick Comments - National
I voted for Jimmy Carter. I also wondered why I could not afford a house with double digit interest rates. I had a political awakening after that time period that I'll save for another blog. I just want to say that there was a time that I thought Jimmy would make a good president, even if he had a can of Billy Beer, a handful of peanuts and his Cardigan sweater while sitting in front of the fireplace or while walking down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Obama's Speech To The Children
Immediately upon hearing of Obama's address to the school children which is upcoming, comments and discussion began to fly. Comparisons to other leaders in history were made. I do not recall any previous president addressing all of the nations school children. Thinking back to the previous presidents that I remember, and that goes back to Eisenhower, I don't think I would be alarmed about it. However, I am now.
Will Hybrid Cars Become A Rarity?
The first time that I heard of "Rare Earth Magnets" was referring to the tiny, super strong magnets used in computer hard drives that store data. Most every computer has them. They are made from "Rare Earth" minerals. The key to my blog is the word RARE.
Dangerous Appointments
Sometimes I feel badly not concentrating on local topics. Oh I've been tempted about things like rebuilding the zoo interchange and light rail, high speed rail or whatever people wanting to move forward to the past want. It's about forcing us to live as they wish and not as we want to live. It's about forcing us to pay for their desires even if we want no part of them. But all of that pales to the bigger picture.
Unintended Consequences Of CARS
Rick Frazier is director of the car donation program for The Military Order Of The Purple Heart. As other nonprofit charitable organizations do, such as the popular Rawhide Ranch charity, they count on car and truck donations for income. Rick said that immediately upon the government Cash For Clunkers program, their donations dropped. During my travels I will hear other charities such as the American Lung Association, Volunteers Of America and Kars For Kids looking for car donations. I think it safe to say that they are seeing their income fall too.
Cash For Clunkers II
Hey neighbor, I want to buy a new car. Give me $10. Too bad if you don't like it. No, make that $30!
Cash For Clunkers
If you have access to YouTube, search on Cash For Clunkers. You will be horrified at what you see. Among dozens of related videos, I watched one where a perfectly good Volvo turbo was drained of oil and the engine ran at redline until it seized. Among the comments were that a person's daughter had one that he gave her for driving while at college. He pointed out that salvage parts will become scarcer and more expensive if older but perfectly fine cars are demolished like this.
Obama Sucker Punched By The Press
Last night, President Obama was unfairly baited into a mess when responding to a question completely unrelated to the topic of the press conference.
Health-care: Be Careful What You Wish For!
For the record, I am in favor of health-care reform. When my personal website was up, I devoted a section of it to the need of reform. I don't think that health-care should financially ruin people. But I also don't think that health-care should ruin the country either! Let's think through a few aspects of health-care that is sure to come out and become a HUGE issue sooner or later.
You Think A 7% Price Hike Is Something?
The weather has been cooler and air conditioning has not been used as much. That, not energy conservation, is why WE Energies is looking for a 7% rate hike. Being in the air conditioning business, I KNOW that air conditioners are running less. Business shows it.
Government Driving Automakers The Wrong Way?
I've been in business enough to know that when times are tough, it is tempting to cut back advertising. However, that is the last expense that should be cut. After all, sales equals income.
Does Anybody Know What They Are Doing?
Today I'm told that some of the bailed out banks actually have been turning a profit. One has loaned some of that money to Dubai and one has loaned some to a Chinese company. Billions of dollars, that is. I thought that we, the USA, were in debt to those countries.
Swearing Off Of Talk Radio
I'm very cheerful early in the mornings on weekends. It drives my wife nuts because she is not a morning person. However on the weekdays, I'm usually dragging and a touch grumpy. I narrowed the reason for the mood changes down to talk radio. You see, I've been addicted to talk radio for years. Lately there hasn't been much good to talk about. My morning drive brings me up to date with news and commentary on what's going on out there. It explains why my retirement money is about zip and my retirement plans are now don't plan on retiring. But then again, maybe the Stimulus Bill will have a provision for retirees to get bigger social security checks to offset the lack of confidence in the government that has caused everybody's investments to tank out.
Underwater
Underwater conveys a more urgent situation than the term "upside down". I'm referring to the new term being used for owing more on a house than it is presently worth. Being upside down on a loan isn't unusual. It is actually typical. Unless you pay typically 20% down on a new car, you are immediately "underwater" the moment you sign the papers. Just take it next door to the other brand dealer and ask what they will give you in trade for one of their shiny new unionmobiles. Anything you buy on a credit card is immediately "underwater". Try and sell your new 72" high definition TV, still in the sealed box, to a shopper for one, and try to break even. Unless it has suddenly become rare, like a new PlayStation or WII at Christmas time, you know you'd be lucky to get 2/3 of what you paid for it.
Is Washington DC Obsolete?
I like to visit the Mequon/Thiensville website and read Warren Stumpe's blog from time to time. He has a good deal and variety of life's experience under his belt and it makes for thought provoking opinions. I suggest you check him out too.
Local Stimulus
Last week Pat and I went to the NARI Home Improvement show at State Fair Park. We've been in dire need of some bathroom repairs and remodeling so that was our primary target as we walked the aisles while munching on candy roasted almonds from a vendor. Being in the heating and cooling trade, I would come across some acquaintances from time to time and we'd spend a few moments exchanging niceties. My secondary target was something to reduce the need to clean out the gutters once or twice each year. Doing that isn't fun on a single level ranch house and I can't imagine doing it on a two floor house. There's a variety of methods out there. I need something that will shed the maple seeds and walnuts.
Auto Orphans
It's business as usual in Washington. Just several weeks ago the American automakers were looking for help because of financial burndens negotiated by the unions that the foreign automakers don't have. Today I read that Obama signed something that gives the unions even more pull over businesses. Oh I suppose if the government gives the automakers more money, then they can pay the unions more money too! Spread the wealth. They've sapped my retirement accounts. How are your's doing?
Heroes
As a pilot, I am captivated by things aviation and this week and next are real doozies! I am tying the US Airways forced landing into the Hudson River and the inauguration next week together. Stay with me on this.
Way To Go Barney!
Being a dog lover, I don’t encourage or tolerate biting. That being said, Barney, President Bush’s Black Scottie Terrier nipped at a reporter when the reporter reached down to pet the dog. I’ve heard all sorts of things about the behavior of the dog and the approach of the reporter. Having seen a video of the incident, anybody that knows dogs can see that Barney didn’t want any part of the reporter. Obviously a refection of above average canine intelligence! However, the whole incident is a wonderful ending metaphor for the press relations that the eight years of the Bush administration has had to endure.
Obama, fix the credit system!
I like to read news from England via the BBC news feed. One article is about massive unemployment in China due to the credit crunch.
Chilling Observations
By this time Tuesday I'll know whether to worry or not. Monday's Journal has several things that I must comment on.
Are We Independent?
Happy 4th of July. Independence day. We celebrate our independence from the oppressive British monarchy. We shot their soldiers and theirs killed ours. In Brookfield there is the grave of a man who fought in the Revolutionary War. Private Nathan Hatch. Since we are now buddy buddy with the British, it seems that today should be more of a birthday celebration of becoming a country rather than the day we officially flipped the bird to the king of England.
Freedom of Speech Extends to the Mayor
I believe there is a wave of paranoia sweeping the country. Zero tolerance this, can't say that and so forth. I don't think it is any big secret that Mayor Nelson, if not a registered democrat, certainly has leanings that way.
Capitalism At Work?
I was going to write about an internet purchase experience and a local experience but a news item begs for comment.
