HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA – JULY 4, 2011

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Administrator

100 Milestone Documents from National Archives

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Land of the Brave

Posted on July 3, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

First and last, as many of our soldiers have said many times over “I love this country and would die for it”. I have always loved this country because it’s more than beautiful, it’s breathtaking. There are scenes in this country that literally take your breath away they are so stunning.

How can you look at Hoover Dam, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, the Mississippi River or the Great Lakes without being filled with pride at these magnificent sites? Whether natural or man-made the United States is filled with one wonder after another.

I love the people. The people in the U.S. are first and foremost “neighbors”. It doesn’t make any difference if they’re African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, white and/or purple with orange polka-dots, if there is a disaster in their area they all pitch in to help. They forget the fact they haven’t spoken to their next door neighbor for the past 20 plus years because he ran over their daughter’s bike back in 1991, they’re right there helping their neighbor pick up pieces of his/her life after an earthquake, tornado, flood or any other type of natural or man-made disaster.

I love the fact that our country is first to help others in need. If there is any sort of disaster anywhere in the world, the United States is first to offer a helping hand and that’s the way I was brought up – to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

In that respect we are a ‘superpower’.

I love what our country was, but I’m saddened beyond belief at what our country has become, in such a short period of time, at the hands of so few.

Is it possible to speak with pride about a country that is literally falling apart around you? The infrastructure in the United States has been falling apart for years. The American Society for Civil Engineers, ASCE, evaluates the condition of our infrastructure on a regular basis and their report card from 2009 continues to give the US infrastructure a cumulative grade of D as follows: Aviation D, Bridges C, Dams D, Drinking Water D-, Energy D+, Hazardous Waste D-, Inland Waterways D, Levees D-, Public Parks and Recreation C-, Rail C-, Roads D-, Schools D, Solid Waste C+, Transit D, Wastewater D.

Just like your house or your car deteriorate without proper maintenance; our entire country is falling apart due to lack of maintenance/repair.

The ASCE estimates it will take a 5 year investment of $2.2 trillion dollars to upgrade our infrastructure.

September 11, 2001 marks the day the United States was attacked by terrorists using our own planes, American Airlines Flight 11, American Airlines Flight 77, United Airlines Flight 93 and United Airlines Flight 175. These four flights caused the deaths of almost 3,000 in total at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and at the site in Shanksville PA. (The number of deaths was originally reported at well over 3,000 but has been revised downward over the years).

Operation Enduring Freedom began on October 7, 2001 and since that date 1,633 of our soldiers have died in OEF, with another 12,306 injured. On March 19, 2003 the U.S. began Operation Iraqi Freedom where 4,421 of our soldiers have died and another 31,922 have been injured. Operation New Dawn carries a death toll of 48, with another 208 wounded, for a grand total of 6,102 DEAD and 44,436 wounded or a grand total of 50,538 casualties, with no clear end in sight.

The number of casualties indicated is as of 10:00 am EDT on June 28, 2011.

When President Bush announced the attack on Afghanistan shortly after 1:00 pm EDT on October 7, 2001 he made the claim the “…the Taliban will pay a price”. Looks to me like the citizens of the United States are the ones that are paying a price.

After the attack on Afghanistan we started hearing rumblings about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq (a claim that simply wasn’t supported by facts). As time went on it became clear the Bush administration intended to invade Iraq.

The Eisenhower Study Group from The Watson Institute for International Studies at Brown University recently released their report on the cost of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The report highlights the more than 225,000 killed in 10 years and more than $3.2 – $4 trillion spent and obligated on these wars. The report goes into detail on the breakdown of these figures and why they are so much higher than estimates reported.

As painful as it may be for me to say, I can honestly say that some of the pride I once felt for this country has now been replaced by shame.

I cannot be proud of a country that has caused more than 50,000 of our own men and women to be killed and/or maimed in a war that never should have happened.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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Not One, but Two U.S. Nuclear Plants in Harm’s Way

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

It was only a day ago when we began an article discussing the Great East Japan Earthquake, the tsunami and the subsequent nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Power Plant.

The intent of the article was to bring attention to the incredible number of major disasters that have struck the United States in the past six months.

One day later we find out that two separate United States nuclear facilities are being threatened by both fire and floods. Los Alamos National Laboratory, our nuclear weapons lab, in New Mexico was recently evacuated due to a wildfire, while a protective berm surrounding the Fort Calhoun nuclear power plant in North Dakota has been breached.

A website statement from Los Alamos National Laboratory reads as follows:

6/26/2011 20:48 – On Monday, June 27, 2011 Los Alamos National Laboratory will be closed due to a nearby wildfire. All laboratory facilities will be closed for all activities and nonessential employees are directed to remain off site. Employees are considered nonessential and should not report to work unless specifically directed by their line managers. Employees should check local news sources, the LANL Update Hotline 505-667-6622 and the LANL web page http://www.lanl.gov for updates. All radioactive and hazardous material is appropriately accounted for and protected. LANL staff is coordinating the on-site response and supporting the county and federal fire response. The Laboratory’s Emergency Operations Center has been activated. Media can reach a Joint Information Center at 2209 Miguel Chavez Road, Santa Fe. Phone 505-820-1226.

The power plant at Fort Calhoun has been hit with two separate problems. On June 7, 2011 there was a fire in an electrical switchgear room that was put out by the Blair Fire Department and the Fort Calhoun Fire Department. The plant was in a cold shutdown condition at the time, but the fire was significant enough for a PNO to be issued. A PNO is a Preliminary Notification of Event or Unusual Occurrence. The PNO is basically an EARLY notice of an event that might affect public safety. This power plant remains in cold shutdown due to Missouri River flooding which is expected to last into July.

PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION OF EVENT OR UNUSUAL OCCURRENCE — PNO-IV-004

This preliminary notification constitutes EARLY notice of events of POSSIBLE safety or public interest significance. The information is as initially received without verification or evaluation, and is basically all that is known by the Region IV, Arlington, Texas, staff on this date.

SUBJECT: Fort Calhoun Station Declaration of an ALERT Due to Fire Affecting Plant Safety

Systems

At approximately 9:40 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011, the Fort Calhoun Station (FCS) declared an ALERT due to a fire in an electrical switchgear room. Automatic fire suppression systems operated as expected. Licensee fire brigade personnel, the Blair Fire Department, and the Fort Calhoun Fire Department responded to the fire. The fire was confirmed extinguished at 10:20 a.m. The plant was already in a cold shutdown condition following completion of a planned refueling outage and was maintained safely in cold shutdown.

There are only eleven states which have not reported disasters so far this year. These states are: Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming. All others are facing droughts, wild fires, floods or damage such as occurring now in Nebraska from the nuclear reactors.

The eleven states that have not reported a disaster in 2011 are indicated on the following map in yellow.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

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Toward An Understanding of the Effects of Natural and Man-made Disasters on Unemployment and GDP -Or- Blame it All on Einstein

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

The massive earthquake registering 9.0 on the Richter scale struck Japan on March 11, 2011 and was followed by a gigantic tsunami causing untold damage resulting in the meltdown of three nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant.

Cleaning up the mess required thousands and thousands of people which provided work for those who lost their jobs because of the earthquake, but these jobs did not add to GDP. They simply restored what had already been there (that is generally what happens when any natural disaster strikes. There’s more work to clean up the mess, but it does not add anything to GDP).

Surprisingly, Japan’s unemployment rate rose only slightly, but the real effect is in its revised GDP estimates.

The Daiwa Institute of Research Report dated June 1, 2011 downgrades Japan’s estimated GDP for 2011 from +0.8 percent to -0.3 percent due to what is now known as the “Great East Japan Earthquake”. GDP is being revised downward due to reduced production due to both impaired supply chains and power shortages as well as reduced personal spending due to lower consumer confidence.

The Federal Reserve estimated on June 22, 2011 that US GDP will only rise 2.7% to 2.9% in 2011, down from an April estimate of an increase of 3.1% to 3.3%. The two major concerns for the anticipated decrease in U.S. growth are the aftermath of Japan’s earthquake and rising energy costs.

Fortunately the United States has not experienced anything that could remotely compare to what Japan experienced on March 11, but we have our own share of incidents.

The list of potential disasters in this country is extensive and could be caused by any of the following: Dam failures, earthquakes, fire or wildfires, floods, hazardous materials, heat, hurricanes, landslides, nuclear power plant emergencies, terrorism attacks, thunderstorms, tornados, tsunamis, volcano’s, or winter storms.

Historically, economic damage cost-to-date in the US is around $6 billion dollars from a combination of winter storms, crop losses, spring flooding and severe weather. According to NCDC at NOAA, the economic damage costs for the period from January 1, 2011 through May 2011 are already $32 billion dollars, representing an increase of over 533 percent.

In 2011 we’ve already had a total of eight disasters costing over a billion dollars each as follows:

· Blizzard in central, eastern and northeastern states on January 29 – February 3, 2011. Estimated cost $3.9 billion; 36 deaths.

· Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes April 4-5. Total losses over $2.0 billion; 9 deaths.

· Southeast/Midwest Tornadoes April 8-11. Total losses over $2.2 billion; -0- deaths.

· Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes April 14-16. Total losses over 2.0 billion; 38 deaths.

· Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest Tornadoes April 25-30. Tornadoes over central and southern states. Total losses approaching 10 billion; 320 deaths.

· Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes May 22-27. Total losses may exceed $7.0 billion; 172 deaths.

· Texas Drought & Wildfires Spring-Summer 2011. Ongoing – Firefighting costs approximately $1 million/day, loss to agriculture and cattle $1.5-$3.0 billion.

· Mississippi River flooding Spring-Summer 2011. Ongoing – Preliminary losses $2.0 – $4.0 billion dollars.

NOAA has an interesting chart indicating billion dollars losses from 1980 through 2010 and may be viewed at the following link http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/img/reports/billion/disasters2010.pdf

During the first six months of 2011, the United States experienced an exceptional number of “Major Disasters” [a ‘major disaster’ is declared after the following criteria have been met.]

We haven’t even passed the half-way point in calendar year 2011, and 45 major disasters have already been declared. This compares to an average of only 60 per year during the 10-year period from 2001 through 2010. In addition, eight emergency declarations have been made along with 71 fire management assistance declarations since the beginning of the year.

In total 39 of our 50 states have experienced some sort of disaster during the first six months of 2011, as listed below. The map at the end of this article will give you a graphic view of the massive amount of area in this country that has been affected by these disasters. States experiencing disasters are indicated in green.

You may view the details on any of these 2011 Federal Disaster Declarations as the following FEMA link: http://www.fema.gov/news/disasters.fema

The eleven states that have not declared a disaster are: Delaware, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, West Virginia, and Wyoming. These states are indicated in yellow on the following map.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

Posted in Economy, Elections 2012, Employment, Global Warming, Government, Health and wellness, National Debt, News and politics, Only in America News, Safety and Security | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Un bon croquis vaut mieux qu’un long discours,”

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

The above quote translated from French into English reads “A good sketch is better than a long speech” and is supposedly attributed to Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte 1769-1821. I can’t confirm whether or not he said it because I wasn’t around then and other than “Oui”, I don’t speak French.

There are websites that believe the above quote is the origin of the term “A picture is worth a thousand words”, but is it? Who knows? How much does a quote lose being passed on from one decade to the next, and/or how much is lost in translation from one language to another?

Numerous times I’ve checked out quotes that were attributed to one person, only to find out the words were actually being quoted by that person, rather than spoken.

How many times have you heard the quote “Trust but Verify” attributed to Ronald Reagan? The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Library has all sorts of goodies for sale with this famous quote, but was he the first to say the words?

Sir Winston Churchill’s, “The Hinge of Fate,” 1948, published in association with the Cooperation Pub. Co. [by] Houghton Mifflin contains the following on page 687:

“…Memories of the war may be vivid and true, but should never be trusted without verification, especially where the sequence of events is concerned.”

Wiki indicates “Trust but Verify” is misattributed to Ronald Reagan that’s it’s actually a translation of the Russian proverb “doveriai, no porveriai”, but that doesn’t seem to fly either as my translation of “Trust but Verify” into Russian comes out доверяй, но проверяй, a rather moot point as I don’t speak or read Russian either.

What I do trust is numbers. One of the hats I wore during my career was that of corporate accountant and numbers don’t lie. The figures I’m using in the following charts are taken from OMB Historical Tables – Table 1.1 – Summary of Receipts, Outlays and Surpluses or Deficits (-): 1789-2016.

The four separate charts I’ve prepared cover a period of the 28 years, from 1981 through 2008 and are separated by each Presidents term of office. As you can readily see we had Republican presidents for 20-years and a Democratic president for a period of 8-years.

Without a doubt this is an instance where if “A picture is worth a thousand words” four charts have to worth a few trillion.

Republican presidents are consistent from one administration to the next – they create deficits, each and every year they are in office. The only exception is 2001, but that was very definitely a carryover from the Clinton surplus.

We have three separate Republican presidents, in office for a period of 20 years, and out of all three of them they could only come up with one year that wasn’t a deficit, and it had nothing to do with their policies.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

Posted in Economy, Elections 2012, Government, National Debt, News and politics, Only in America News, U.S. History | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Only the Shadow Knows

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Administrator

By Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

Jon Huntsman, former Governor of Utah and former Ambassador to China, announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination on June 21, 2011 with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Later that evening during an interview with Sean Hannity, Governor Huntsman commented on the location as follows:

HANNITY: You know, it’s pretty historic place. There was a predecessor ran for the presidency, Ronald Reagan, same backdrop. Why did you choose here?

HUNTSMAN: This is a pretty historic place. Remember, in 1980, at the beginning of the fall general election campaign, the president came here, it was a time of difficulty and trouble in our nation. And he basically promised people that we could restore greatness again and he did. So, today, I totally stand in his shadow.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/on-air/hannity/2011/06/22/cable-exclusive-gop-presidential-candidate-jon-huntsmans-plan-america#ixzz1Q1okpgbf

Republicans consistently point to the presidency of Ronald Reagan as a ‘great’ period in our history, but how can that be? President Reagan was in office from January 20, 1981 through January 20, 1989 and during that same 8-year period of time the United States had a budget deficit each and every year. At the end of his 8-year term President Reagan had increased the federal debt by almost $1.7 trillion dollars – 3.5 times the amount revenues increased. The national debt ballooned from 26.1 percent of GDP when Reagan took office, to a whopping 40.6 of GDP when he left.

As a former staff assistant to Reagan, it’s not surprising that Huntsman would try to follow in his footsteps, but sooner or later common sense has to prevail and Republican candidates have to understand that deficit spending is not the way to run a country effectively.

On October 26, 2006 Cato Institute published its eighth biennial fiscal report card on US Governors and in 2006 Governor Huntsman was given a “spending score of 31”, with a spending grade of “F” for failure. Although the Governor received an excellent score on tax policy (he had a plan for lots of tax cuts) he was a dismal failure when it came to spending. http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa581.pdf

We just didn’t realize how good we had it during the Clinton years. People just thought the government, the economy and the weather were all on automatic.

It’s been a bad bunch of years for a long time and this country deserves better. All we’ve heard about for the past two years is how poorly President Obama is handling the “Great Recession” he inherited from President Bush. If George W. Bush hadn’t cut taxes on the richest of the rich, given tax breaks to the wealthiest of businesses, created tax loopholes you could drive Humvees through, and spent $19.6 trillion dollars during the 8-years he was in office there wouldn’t have been a great recession.

What does the country have to show for the $19.6 trillion spent by President Bush other than an increase in the number of millionaires/billionaires and increased profits for businesses?

What the Republicans have done over the years is misrepresent what Reagan did with his tax-cuts for the rich. What they’ve done is a crime. “The weed of crime bears bitter fruit. Crime does not pay … The Shadow [1] knows!”

[1] The Shadow is from radio. He was able to “cloud men’s minds” so they could not see him. He used this ability to fight crime.

© 2011 Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

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New Warnings Show How Serious the US Government is About Stopping Cigarette Smoking

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

Graphic: FDA

Nearly 500,000 lives are lost each year due to deaths caused by tobacco use and smoking is the leading cause of preventable and premature deaths in this country.

Cigarette smoking is dangerous and anyone that has ever smoked understands just how dangerous, but it’s also addictive. I quit smoking 17 years ago and on occasion still crave a cigarette.

On November 12, 2010 the FDA released 36 proposed graphics for public comment and on June 21, 2011 announced the selection of nine new cigarette health warnings.

The decision was made after reviewing more than 1,700 public comments, appraising their scientific literature and evaluating the results on an 18,000 person study – see document number FDA-2-1—N-0568-008.

The actual warnings are as follows and each warning has its own separate graphic. The first one “Cigarettes are addictive” is indicated in the photo and as you can see the colored photo represents a man inhaling a cigarette through a tracheostomy.

· WARNING: Cigarettes are addictive.

· WARNING: Tobacco smoke can harm your children.

· WARNING: Cigarettes cause fatal lung disease.

· WARNING: Cigarettes cause cancer.

· WARNING: Cigarettes cause strokes and heart disease.

· WARNING: Smoking during pregnancy can harm your baby.

· WARNING: Smoking can kill you.

· WARNING: Tobacco smoke causes fatal lung disease in nonsmokers.

· WARNING: Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health.

The new cigarette warnings will go into effect on September 22, 2012 and all cigarettes sold or distributed in the United States can no longer be manufactured, or advertised, without the new warnings in place.

Each warning will cover an area representing 50 percent of both the front and rear cigarette package. In addition to the warning the phone number 1-800-QUIT-NOW will appear on all cigarette packages. Consumers wishing to quit smoking may call the number to obtain assistance in quitting.

In addition to the warning on the cigarette package, cigarette advertisements will also carry a warning covering at least 20 percent of the area in the upper portion of the advertisement.

Are you able to come up with a creative way to promote the new cigarette health warnings? Share your idea with the FDA – http://tobaccoideas.fda.gov/forums/83903-cigarette-health-warnings

The new graphic warnings are the first changes to cigarette warnings in 25 years. It’s about time major changes were made to a product that is known to be harmful and in some instances even cause death.

All nine graphics may be viewed at the FDA link http://www.fda.gov/downloads/TobaccoProducts/Labeling/UCM259401.pdf

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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Summary of Misleading Facts from FactCheck.org on GOP Debate

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Administrator

“Summary

In the first New Hampshire debate among 2012 presidential hopefuls, we found a number of incorrect, misleading or shaky factual claims:

  • Pawlenty was wrong when he boasted that he was “one of the few governors” to respond to a Bush request to send guardsmen to the southern border. In fact, all 50 states participated in that border operation.
  • Romney claimed that “we didn’t raise taxes in Massachusetts” to pay for his health care law. In fact, his successor imposed a $1-a-pack tax increase on cigarettes to pay for the new law.
  • Santorum claimed a Medicare advisory board created by the new federal health care law will result in a rationing of care for seniors. The law specifically says the board “shall not include any recommendation to ration health care.”
  • Santorum was wrong when he said the Obama administration is “against any kind of exploration offshore or in Alaska.” The administration has approved 296 new permits for new offshore oil wells since taking office, and it is considering granting the first permits in Alaska since 2004.
  • Bachmann claimed the Congressional Budget Office “has said that Obamacare will kill 800,000 jobs.” That’s a distortion. CBO said some Americans would work less or leave their jobs if they can get health insurance outside the workplace.
  • Pawlenty said that “[if] Brazil can have 5 percent growth, then the United States of America can have 5 percent growth,” showing his economic plan is not unreasonable. But the fact is, World Bank figures show Brazil has failed to achieve 5 percent growth for 23 of the past 30 years.
  • Gingrich again tried to rewrite history by claiming that his words “right-wing social engineering” were “totally taken out of context.” In fact, he called Paul Ryan’s plan “too big a jump” and “radical” change as well.

Note: This is a summary only. The full article with analysis, images and citations may be viewed on our Web site:”

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Posted in Economy, Elections 2012, Employment, Government, Health, Uninsured, Immigration, Medicare, National Debt, News and politics, Only in America News, Safety and Security, U.S. Military, War | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Do You Know What Is In the U.S. Constitution?

Posted on June 8, 2011 by Administrator

Take the following quiz to see whether you do or don’t.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/112_Congress/page?id=12529211

If you don’t do very well on the test you can go to the following link to read a transcript of the U.S. Constitution

http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html

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Now Is the Time to Call In the No Interest Loans

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Administrator

By Richard Walrath and Patricia Johnson

Speaker of the House, John Boehner (R-OH) made the following statement on May 5, 2011, “Nothing is off the table except raising taxes”, as quoted on the speaker’s blog . The comment was made in connection with statements about whether or not Republicans would increase the debt limit. Republicans in the legislature have managed to convince themselves (and anyone that actually listens to them) that our national debt is totally ‘spending-driven’. The numbers speak for themselves.

We didn’t just suddenly incur a national debt; we’ve had a national debt for decades. For the 30-year period from 1978 to 2008 Republicans were in office for all but eight years when Clinton when in office. During that 30-year period, under Republican control, how many years did we add to the deficit? – try each and every year a Republican administration was in control.

The only time, in the entire 30-year period that we had a budget surplus was during the Clinton administration, and the very first year of the Bush presidency which was a carryover from Clinton.

You can look at the chart to see what happened during the ‘sunshine’ years of the Reagan presidency. He provided massive tax-cuts for the rich which did nothing other than dramatically increase the deficit during a period of time when the deficit shouldn’t have increased. There were no war costs during the Reagan presidency or other unusual expenditures that would increase the deficit.

Clinton left the White House with a budget surplus as far as the eye could see and along came George W. Bush with massive tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy and big business.

How many times have we heard the same song and dance from Republicans that tax increases “hurt job creation”? Where have they been for the past ten years? The first tax cut put in place was the first year the Republicans took over the White House and Congress from the Democrats.

The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 was passed to promote job growth and what happened when taxes were cut? Jobs were lost.

Since that didn’t work out too well another major tax cut was put into place two years later. The tax cuts in the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 didn’t work out so well either resulting in more job losses and lower revenues for the country.

The tax cuts, by themselves, weren’t enough to send the country spiraling into the deep dark hole of recession, so we started two wars and dramatically increased defense spending.

What has happened in the past when we’ve gone to war with a country?

During World War I, the maximum tax rate (excluding those for “excess profits tax”) reached 77 percent. During World War II we reached 94 percent and during the Korean War taxes reached 92 percent and stayed at 91 percent for several years thereafter. From 1965 to 1970 the tax rate was 70 percent with special Vietnam War surcharges.

War Max. Tax Rate
World War I 77 percent
World War II 94 percent
Korean War 92 percent
1965-1970 70 percent plusVietnam War surcharge

Source: Internal Revenue Service

A normal person would ask why Republicans cut taxes on a regular basis if higher taxes are necessary during a period of war to reduce the excessive spending caused by war. The answer can be found in their back pockets.

The highest tax rate in this country has a direct impact on their wallet because, according to the Center for Responsible Politics, the majority of our legislators are millionaires, with more millionaires in the Senate than in the U.S. House.

The average wealth for a member of the U.S. House during 2009 (last data available) was $4.9 million, while Members of the Senate had average wealth of $13.4 million for 2009.

Where does your number fall? Are you a double digit millionaire yet or are you down at the bottom with single digit millions? Or are you like the majority of hard working Americans that are barely surviving from one paycheck to the next? When you compare the average wealth of our politicians to the average wealth of the population of our country it’s not real hard to figure out why “nothing is off the table except raising taxes”.

Bush spent eight years talking about cutting the deficit in half, when in fact; his legislation added $5.4 trillion dollars to the deficit.

Legislation passed by Republicans in the 8-years Bush was in office did nothing more than allow the wealthy in this country to obtain zero interest loans from the federal government in the form of astronomical tax cuts and tax loopholes. Have you tried to obtain a no-interest loan lately – believe me, it’s not going to happen for the average taxpayer.

When we consider the tax cuts, and tax loopholes temporary no-interest loans to the ultra-wealthy, and big business, courtesy of Republican administrations, it’s not too difficult to figure out it is now time to call in these no interest loans.

© 2011 Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

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Good News for U.S. Economy – Yes/No/Maybe?

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion By: Patricia L Johnson

There have been two reports come out this week that are true indicators of what is happening in this country with our economy.

Corporate profits hit a new record high during the first three months of this year. Corporate profits came in at $1.7 trillion for the first three months of 2011 (on an annualized basis), which is 1.3% higher than the previous quarter.

Under normal circumstances this would be exceptional news because higher corporate profits generally result in the hiring of additional workers and/or purchasing capital equipment. The purchase of capital equipment then puts additional people to work. There are two problems here – first, businesses are doing little of either, they are not hiring and they are not spending, they are simply hoarding the money and second, due to lowered corporate tax rates (courtesy of the prior administration) we are unable to take advantage of their windfall by receiving higher revenues in the form of tax payments.

The second good news report came from the Federal Reserve. Commerical banks and savings institutions that are insured by the FDIC, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, reported profits of $29 billion in the first quarter of 2011 or an increase of 66.5% compared to the same period last year. In addition, it’s the 7th consecutive quarter of year-over-year increases.

Here again, this should be excellent news because when banks are flush, they make loans to the average John/Jane to purchase homes, cars, make home improvements, etc., etc., etc. Again, this is not a win for the country because the banks are doing the same exact thing corporations are doing with their money, they are hoarding it and as long as they are not lending the money out to the average American the housing market will not improve.

I’m sure the first question that will be asked is WHY are they hoarding the money? My personal opinion on this is it’s all a matter of politics. The longer banks and companies hold unto the funds, the worse it will look for President Obama. Instead of being labeled a hero (which he should be by having kept this country from going into another deep, dark, depression, and making enormous strides in the other direction) he will be labeled a failure due to the lack of jobs and dismal housing market if the same conditions prevail around election time 2012.

What that will mean is a Republican will probably be able to take over the White House in 2012 and they can continue to suck the life and money out of this country.

Why do the corporations and banks want Republicans in office? Republicans mean lower taxes for them (not for you, the average John/Jane, but for the super-wealthy) and fewer regulations.

The housing crisis in this country was caused by the fact there were few regulations in place for non-FDIC financial institutions providing loans so millions of sub-prime loans were provided to those that could not hope to repay because the majority were provided with ARM’s [adjustable rate mortgages]. A detailed analysis of this problem may be viewed at the following link.

Why did the banks do this? They made an incredible amount money on interest in the first two years – many ARM’s were 2/28 – click following link for chart http://www.articlesandanswers.com/ARMCHART.htm When the initial 2-year period was up and the mortgage amount due increased dramatically and folks could not longer pay.

Regulations apparently scare Republicans as can be determined by the fact House Speaker John Boehner refused to agree to allow the Senate to adjourn next week for fear Elizabeth Warren and others would be provided with recess appointments. The Constitution provides the Speaker of the House with the power to block Senate recesses exceeding three days.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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We Must Never Forget to Honor Those That Sacrificed the Most

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

His name was Major General John A. Logan and he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. On May 5, 1868 he wrote General Orders No. 11 which established Decoration Day and begins:

“The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with
flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of
their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost
every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no
form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way
arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may
permit …”

The first large observance of Decoration Day that year was at Arlington
National Cemetery to honor those that died in the Civil War.

In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday for remembering all
veterans who lost their lives in American wars. To correspond with other
Federal holidays the day of celebration was changed to the last Monday in May.
This year [2011] the last Monday in May also happens to be the 30th of May.

Following is a link to the Department of Veterans Affairs, November 2010, summary of soldiers that have lost their lives in America’s wars from the American Revolution through 1991. A total of 42 million served in the U.S. military during that period with 651,031 battle deaths, an additional 308,800 deaths while in Theater [in war zone] and 230,254 other deaths while in service, non-Theater. This listing is in pdf so please download a free Adobe pdf reader if you do not have one installed on your computer. Adobe Reader Download

Individual casualty totals from the Global War on Terrorism, [Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn] beginning October 7, 2001 (with no end in site). The data listed is through May 23, 2011.

The National Moment of Remembrance Act, P.L. 106-579, was passed by Congress and signed by President William J. Clinton. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Source:  Department of Veterans Affairs

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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GM Adding Two Shifts, 2,500 Jobs to Detroit-Hamtramck Plant

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Administrator

“DETROIT – General Motors is adding two shifts and about 2,500 hourly and salaried jobs at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to build the new Chevrolet Malibu mid-size sedan and the next-generation Impala large sedan alongside the Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera electric cars.”

Click link to read full story

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‘Sounded like a train’: Storms hit three states, kill 13

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Administrator

“Violent storms that swept through the central U.S. killed at least 13 people in three states, toppling trees, crushing cars and tearing through a rural Arkansas fire station.”

Click link to read complete story

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Investigation Links Sterility to Bone Growth Product

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Administrator

“Almost 10 years ago, the FDA approved recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2, or BMP-2, a biologic agent that could grow bone where none existed. But despite the commercial success of the product, a number of safety concerns have emerged over time, including — as this special report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel/MedPage Today reveals — a link to a condition that causes sterility in men.”

Click link for full story

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Edwards facing campaign finance charges

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Administrator

Politico
“By JENNIFER EPSTEIN | 5/25/11 6:15 AM EDT Multiple reports say former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards will soon be indicted by the Justice Department on criminal charges for allegedly violating campaign finance laws in an effort to …”

Click link to read full story

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Budget Talks Eye $1 Trillion in Cuts

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Administrator

Wall Street Journal
“By JANET HOOK And COREY BOLES WASHINGTON—White House and congressional officials said Tuesday that they were moving closer to a budget deal that would make a “down payment” of more than $1 trillion in cuts to federal deficits over the next decade. …”

Click link to read full story

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Medicare key to shocking Dem win in NY House race

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Administrator

By BETH FOUHY and CAROLYN THOMPSON
Associated Press

“BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Kathy Hochul told her supporters they had picked the right issue to fight a Republican on long-held Republican turf.

The Democrat rode a wave of voter discontent over the national GOP’s plan to change Medicare and overcame decades of GOP dominance here to capture Tuesday’s special election in New York’s 26th Congressional District.”

Click link for full story

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Enterprise Strike Group Recognizes Sailors

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Administrator

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anna Wade, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

“GULF OF ADEN (NNS) — Six Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Sailors were announced as "Maintenance Persons of the Week" (MPOW) by Commander, Naval Surface Force, Atlantic (SURFLANT), May 23.

Cryptological Technician (Maintenance) 3rd Class Dustin Carter; Cryptological Technician 1st Class Daniel Foote, and Fire Controlman 3rd Class Anibal Rodriguez-Berrocales aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84); along with Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Jacob Ansell; Fire Controlman 1st Class (SW) Darryl Smith; and Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Jeremy Minnifield aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), have distinguished themselves with SURFLANT’s MPOW title in the first six weeks of the program.”

Click link for complete story

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FDIC-Insured Institutions Earned $29 Billion in The First Quarter of 2011

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Administrator

“Commercial banks and savings institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) reported an aggregate profit of $29 billion in the first quarter of 2011, an $11.6 billion improvement (66.5 percent) from the $17.4 billion in net income the industry reported in the first quarter of 2010. This is the seventh consecutive quarter that earnings registered a year-over-year increase. For the sixth consecutive quarter, reduced provisions for loan losses drove the improvement in earnings.”

Click link for full story

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Security Expert’s SF Record Questioned

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Administrator

From – Military.com – Today in the Military

Security Expert’s SF Record Questioned

“Jess "Skip" Hall, founder of a Birmingham, Ala.-based security and training company called "Hollow Point," doesn’t mince words about wanna-bes who pretend to be more than they are. He uses the language of a former Green Beret and Vietnam combat veteran. But there’s a problem with Hall’s apparent outrage over phonies: He might be one too.”

Full Story

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Which media source has the real story?

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

This morning we’re going to be given a choice on the Strauss-Kahn story. The Wall Street Journal is reporting DNA found on the chambermaid’s clothing matched Strauss-Kahn DNA, while Al Jazeera is saying just the opposite, that the story reported by the Wall Street Journal is incorrect, because New York police haven’t yet released DNA findings.

The Wall Street Journal has a huge following which means the story that is going to be reported all over the world is the story the DNA matched, but did it?

And, if it did what does that prove?

How difficult is it for a hotel chambermaid to obtain DNA and transfer to her own clothing? Not difficult at all. I’m not suggesting that’s what happened in this particular instance, but it’s certainly something to think about.

This isn’t an ordinary case of alleged rape. This is a case of alleged rape against the individual that was in charge of the IMF and, more than likely, would have been the next President of France. When you’re talking about a person of that stature, you have to look beyond the obvious, and beyond what is being reported.

“DNA Said to Link Strauss-Kahn to Maid” [The Wall Street Journal Europe]

By SEAN GARDINER

Tests matched a DNA sample submitted by former International Monetary Fund director Dominique Strauss-Kahn and semen found on the shirt of the hotel maid who told police she had been sexually assaulted by him, law-enforcement officials said.

Click following link to read further

“Police deny Strauss-Kahn DNA match” [Al Jazeera – Americas]

New York police deny media reports suggesting Strauss-Kahn’s DNA matched sample taken from hotel maid’s clothes. New York police have denied reports of finding DNA traces from Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the former IMF chief, on a maid’s clothes.

Click following link to read complete story

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Republican Senator Scott Brown to vote NO on Ryan Medicare Plan

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Administrator

” Why can’t I go along with the Ryan Medicare plan?

First, I fear that as health inflation rises, the cost of private plans will outgrow the government premium support— and the elderly will be forced to pay ever higher deductibles and co-pays. Protecting those who have been counting on the current system their entire adult lives should be the key principle of reform.”

Click following link to read full story.

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Huge twister kills 89 in Mo. city

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Administrator

“JOPLIN, Mo. — At least 89 people were killed in the southwest Missouri city of Joplin after a massive tornado tore through town, authorities said on Monday.

City manager Mark Rohr announced the number at a pre-dawn news conference outside the wreckage of a hospital that took a direct hit from Sunday’s storm.”

Click link to read complete story

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Wave of bombings hit Iraq’s capital

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Administrator

Washington Post
“BAGHDAD — In an unusual spate of violence targeting Iraq’s capital, Baghdad was hit with a wave of bombings early Sunday that killed more than a dozen people and left scores injured when numerous explosions rocked nearly every corner of the city. …”

Click following link to read complete story

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Joint Coalition Forces Rescue Pakistani Fishermen

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Administrator

“ARABIAN SEA – Guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70) assisted the crew of Pakistani flagged fishing vessel Al Sohail.

Al Sohail was adrift with no communications and little food or water after having lost power. Unable to send a distress transmission, the crew attempted to rig a sail out of rugs.”

Click following link to read full story

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U.S. Justice – Guilty until proven Innocent

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

There aren’t too many things happen in this country that shock me, but the treatment of former IMF head, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, by NY officials is definitely at the top of the list.

No matter what alleged crime has been committed you are supposed to be considered ‘innocent’ in this country until proven guilty, but just the opposite occurs. The man is yanked off a plane, thrown in a jail cell and basically held hostage by our country, all on the say-so of a chambermaid.

How many alleged rapists are there in this country that are only able to get out of jail after posting bail of one million dollars and a five million dollar insurance bond, wear an electronic anklet, and pay an estimated $200,000/per month of their own money for armed guards and 24 hours electronic surveillance?

Dominique Strauss-Kahn was the front runner for next year’s Presidential race in France and now the man isn’t even able to find housing in this country due to the media attention this case has received.

There are women raped every hour of every day in this country and, all too often, the charges aren’t taken seriously by LEO’s, so what makes this case different?

What happens if he’s found innocent of all charges? Is there any way at all this country could ever make up for the harm it’s caused this man?

Is there anyone in this country oblivious enough to believe this man would rape a hotel employee in his own hotel room and later telephone the hotel to tell them he left his cell phone in this same room? That doesn’t make sense and as Judge Judy would say “if something doesn’t make sense, it’s usually not true”.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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Iran arrests 30 suspected of U.S.-linked spying

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Administrator

“TEHRAN, May 21 (Xinhua) — The Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced Saturday that it had identified and dismantled a large spy network linked to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), adding that 30 people have been arrested during the operation.”

Click link to read full story

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Pakistan stops NATO supplies after 16 people killed in blast

Posted on May 21, 2011 by Administrator

“ISLAMABAD, May 21 (Xinhua) — Pakistani authorities Saturday suspended supplies to the foreign troops in neighboring Afghanistan hours after a blast at an NATO oil tanker killed 16 persons, officials said.”

Click link to read full story

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Upper Big Branch Report

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Administrator

Courtesy of Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center

“The April 5, 2010 explosion: a failure of basic coal mine safety practices”

Click the following link (s) to view the report in either  HTML PDF

Download Adobe pdf reader

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New FDA restrictions on GlaxoSmithKline Rosiglitazone – Avandia, Avandamet, Avandaryl

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

The Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REM) evaluation conducted by the FDA in May of 2011 will be bringing about the following changes in the manner in which the drug Rosiglitazone – Avandia®, Avandamet®, Avandaryl® is distributed.

Withdrawal of Rosiglitazone medications from the current supply chain will be effective November 18, 2011.  After that date Rosiglitazone will no longer be available in retail pharmacies, not enrolled in the Restricted Access Program. Access to these medications is being restricted due to the potential increased risk of Myocardial Infarction [heart attack].

Drug withdrawal from pharmacies not enrolled in Restricted Access Program will apply to the following medications:

Avandia® (rosiglitazone maleate) Tablets

Avandamet® (rosiglitazone maleate and metformin hydrochloride Tablets

Avandaryl® (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride Tablets

Product Description National Drug Code (NDC)
Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) tablets 2 mg 0029-3158-18
Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) tablets 4 mg 0029-3159-13 & 00
Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate) tablets 8 mg 0029-3160-13 & 59
Avandia (rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCL) tablets 2 mg/1000 mg 0007-3163-18
Avandamet (rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCL) tablets 2 mg/500 mg 0007-3167-18
Avandamet (rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCL) tablets 4 mg/1000 mg 0007-3164-18
Avandamet (rosiglitazone maleate and metformin HCL) tablets 4 mg/500 mg 0007-3168-18
Avandaryl (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride) tablets 4 mg/2 mg 0007-3152-13
Avandaryl (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride) tablets 4 mg/4 mg 0007-3153-13
Avandaryl (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride) tablets 8 mg/2 mg 0007-3148-13
Avandaryl (rosiglitazone maleate and glimepiride) tablets 8 mg/4 mg 0007-3149-13

Healthcare providers prescribing rosiglitazone-containing medications for outpatient or long term care use will be specially certified through enrollment in the Rosiglitazone REMS program at GlaxoSmithKline.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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USS Bulkeley Protects M/V Artemis Glory From Pirates

Posted on May 17, 2011 by Administrator

By Combined Maritime Forces Public Affairs

MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) — USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) responded to a mayday message from M/V Artemis Glory which reported it was being attacked by pirates while transiting the Gulf of Oman at 10:35 a.m. (local), May 16.

Click following link to read full story : http://www.navy.mil/search/display.aspstory_id=60422

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FactCheck Wins Sigma Delta Chi Award | FactCheck.org

Posted on May 15, 2011 by Administrator

FactCheck Wins Sigma Delta Chi Award | FactCheck.org

Sunday, May 15, 2011

2:57 AM

We are happy to announce that the staff of FactCheck.org has won a 2010 Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Our coverage of deceptive claims about the federal health care legislation was selected by the judges for the non-deadline reporting award for independent news sites.

SPJ says it fielded more than 1,400 entries in several categories for print, radio, television and online work. Our entry included the following five articles from 2010:

Health Care Summit Squabbles, Feb. 25

A Final Weekend of Whoppers? March 19

More Malarkey About Health Care, April 19

Health Care Spin — Again, Oct. 28

The Truth About Health Insurance Premiums, Nov. 19

These awards for excellence in journalism have a long history — going back to 1932 — and we are honored to be among this year’s recipients.

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Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on May 8, 2011 by Administrator

A Mother’s Love Determines How

A mother’s love determines how
We love ourselves and others.
There is no sky we’ll ever see
Not lit by that first love.

Stripped of love, the universe
Would drive us mad with pain;
But we are born into a world
That greets our cries with joy.

How much I owe you for the kiss
That told me who I was!
The greatest gift–a love of life–
Lay laughing in your eyes.

Because of you my world still has
The soft grace of your smile;
And every wind of fortune bears
The scent of your caress.

© Nicholas Gordon

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Caring and Sharing – the lost art of Compassion

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

When she saw a stray dog on the street, she would bring it home until such time as we could locate the owner [s]. When friends needed assistance she was first in line to offer a helping hand.

She made our home available to anyone and everyone that needed a temporary place to stay, a hot meal or the company of people that cared.

Her favorite verse was “do unto others as you would have others do unto you” and that saying was drilled into our heads from the time we were knee high to a duck.

We were taught that kindness wasn’t a choice, it was a command. It wasn’t something you considered doing; it was an automatic reaction that came straight from the heart.

My grandparents came over on the boat from Italy, in fact, they met on the boat and were married in the U.S. Yesterday I received an e-mail regarding the status of an illegal immigrant and I started to wonder about my own grandparents. Were they in this country legally? How would I know? Who would I ask?

The e-mail I received yesterday made me start thinking about a lot of things. The attachment to the e-mail was a very short video covering the testimony of a hospital administrator in the State of Florida. What legislative body she was testifying before wasn’t indicated, nor was the date of the testimony. It was obvious this particular testimony was the only information anyone wanted the viewer to see/hear and I have subsequently determined the video was added to You Tube by a PAC [Political Action Committee].

Basically, the Florida hospital had taken care of an illegal immigrant from the country of Guatemala for a period of almost three years at a cost of $1.5 million dollars. The hospital requested and received permission from the court to physically remove the patient from the hospital and send him back to the country of Guatemala. The purpose of the e-mail video is to get people riled up over illegal immigrants. It basically states our rising healthcare costs are totally due to caring for illegals, which simply isn’t true but that’s a subject for another day.

While I was watching the video I wondered why this person had been hospitalized for a period of almost three consecutive years, and why the total cost was so low. I’ve been in the hospital a few times lately and $1,100/day barely gets you a bed, much less sheets and a pillow.

A little research into the subject brought more questions than answers.

On April 5, 2000 a drunken Donald Flewellen, age 52, driving on a revoked license, borrowed a neighbor’s vehicle and was involved in a hit and run accident in Fort Pierce, Florida. This hit and run accident resulted in two deaths and left Luis Jimenez, our Guatemalan illegal, a paraplegic with brain injuries. At the time of the accident, Flewellen had only been out of jail for four months for his previous conviction of two counts of DUI manslaughter.

It appears Luis Jimenez, was approximately 28 years old at the time of the accident and in his early 30’s when the Florida court approved his return to Guatemala, where it appears he is now residing in a small mountain village, in a one room house, with his mother.

I’m curious as to how Americans would feel if the situation was reversed. What would happen if one of our youngsters was in a foreign country, legally or illegally, and suffered permanent brain damage, and became a paraplegic, at the hands of a foreigner, a foreigner who should have been in prison? What would you feel like if you were a mother and had your son returned to you, in the condition Luis Jimenez is in, and were expected to care of him for the rest of his life without any assistance or funds to provide assistance?

My pet peeve is e-mails that take a stand on a subject, without providing all the facts. The bottom line on this particular subject is had the family of Luis Jimenez appealed the court decision on this case, Luis Jimenez would still be in this country, and we would be forced to provide him with medical care. Decisions regarding the status of illegals are Federal, Not State, and state courts simply do not have the authority to remove individuals from this country whether they are here legally or illegally.

Over and over again, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled illegal immigrants have the same constitutional rights as U.S. citizens and until that is changed, federal law prevails. See Plyler v. Doe, Wong Wing v. United States and Yick Wo v. Hopkins.

Aside from the legal aspect is the moral aspect and morally, this country caused the injuries to this young man and it is our obligation to care for his needs.

"Those who can make you believe absurdities, can make you commit atrocities." ~ François-Marie Arouet. A condensed translation of the 1765 quote by French writer [pen name] Voltaire

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

Posted in Health, Uninsured, Immigration, News and politics, U.S. Courts | Leave a comment

An Open Letter to Members of Congress

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Administrator

By Richard E Walrath

It doesn’t matter if you’re in the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, or if you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent, the people of the U.S. need your help now.

The latest Associated Press count is 339 dead [1] from the “worst twisters since 1925”[2] that hit seven southern states. Alabama suffered the deadliest tornado with 248 dead, followed by Mississippi – 34, Tennessee – 34, Georgia – 15, Virginia – 5, Louisiana – 2, and Kentucky – 1. NOAA estimated there were a total of 211 tornadoes on April 27 through April 28, 2011.

Each and every year U.S. oil and gas companies receive $4 billion dollars in subsidies from the American taxpayer.

In an act of decency, as Americans, please join together to end the $4 billion subsidy for oil and gas companies and use this money to help the people in the states suffering from the worst series of tornadoes in 86 years.

The folks in these seven states have had their homes, their families and their lives torn apart. In addition to the dead, there are thousands that were injured. Oil companies will never miss the $4 billion and with gasoline prices well over $4/gallon they’ll soon recoup the $4 billion dollar loss.

Whether the funds are used to help those hurt most by the violent weather conditions of this past week or help other Americans in need, eliminating the subsidies to oil and gas companies is the right thing to do.

[1] http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SEVERE_WEATHER?SITE=INKEN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[2] On March 18, 1925, 747 people were killed in a series of tornadoes, including 695 killed in the “Tri-state tornado. http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/faq/faq_tor.php

© 2011 Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

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HAPPY EASTER

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Administrator

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The Dog in the Manger

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

“The gap between the rich and poor is increasing. Some are living to eat, while others are struggling to eat enough to be able to live.” ~ Anna Hazare [Given name Kisan Baburao Hazare, Indian Activist]

Mr. Hazare was speaking about the gap between the rich and poor in India but his quote applies to many countries, especially the United States, and if the new Republican led House has its way it won’t be long before this gap is widened even further.

The Republicans have been on their ‘cut spending to reduce the national debt’ soapbox for months and we applaud their efforts, but where were these same people during the years 2001 through 2008?

No matter how many times they imply President Obama got us into this economic mess, it is not going to change the truth which is legislative changes put into effect under the Bush administration added $5 trillion dollars to the national debt, reduced U.S. revenues and sent this country spiraling into the deepest recession since the Great Depression, yet the Republicans are still claiming cutting taxes is the answer to all our employment/unemployment concerns.

142.5 million tax returns were filed for tax year 2008, with only 90.7 million [63.6%] classified as a taxable return [a taxable return is an income tax return that has a total income tax greater than $0]. The 63.6 percent is the lowest percentage of taxable returns filed in over 23 years.

The average rate for taxable returns in 2008 was 13.6 percent. Did you pay 13.6 percent income taxes in 2008? Probably not… you probably paid a much higher rate because you were not able to take advantage of all the tax deductions available to the rich in this country.

The last full year President Clinton was in office [2000] when we had a budget surplus as far as the eye could see, the average percentage paid on income taxes was 16.1 percent.

Using the 1979 Income Concept which provides a more consistent estimate of the average tax rate across years, the IRS calculated the total amount income taxes decreased in 2008 as being more than $84 billion dollars. This is one year only. Think of where we would be financially if that $84 billion was extrapolated over the 8-year span of the Bush administration. To be fair, let’s drop the $84 billion down to $50 billion a year for 8 years. That’s $400 billion dollars the U.S. Treasury lost due to legislation put in place by another Republican administration.

Remember the story about the dog in the manger?

After a hard days’ work the horse came in for his dinner and found a dog lying on top of the hay in the horse’s manger.

“I’m tired and hungry”, said the horse. “Won’t you please get out of my manger and off my hay so that I can eat it?” The dog refused to budge.

“You aren’t going to eat the hay and yet you won’t let me have it?” said the horse.

That’s the story that comes to my mind when I hear the Republicans talk about the "deficit" problem. They’re the ones that caused it, and now they want something, or they will let the government default on its debt obligations by not voting to raise the debt ceiling.

Data Source: IRS SOI 2008

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

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Judge temporarily blocks Wis. union law – Politics – msnbc.com

Posted on March 18, 2011 by Administrator

MADISON, Wisconsin — A Wisconsin judge issued a temporary restraining order Friday blocking the state’s new and contentious collective bargaining law from taking effect, a measure that drew tens of thousands of protesters to the state Capitol and sent some Democrats fleeing to Illinois in an tempt to block a vote on it.

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Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Administrator

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Is This the End of the Democratic Party and the End of Democracy?

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Administrator

By Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

It’s a total campaign on the part of the Republicans.

First, elect a president to appoint right-wingers to the Supreme Court – Roberts and Alito. Done.

Next, get a SC ruling that corporations are citizens and can spend as much money on political activity as they want to. Done.

Next, wipe out workers across the nation with Republican backed anti-union legislation.

We saw what happened in Wisconsin. Ohio has a more restrictive bill that passed the Ohio Senate March 1 and will soon be voted on in the Ohio House. Idaho has already approved a bill to limit collective bargaining by school teachers. Iowa has a bill pending. Michigan has passed both a House and a Senate bill giving the state emergency powers to break union contracts.

In Indiana the Senate passed a bill restricting organized labor, while House members have left the state to avoid voting on the measure. New Hampshire has Republican majorities in both houses and a right-to-work bill on the table prohibiting collective bargaining. Kansas has passed a bill outlawing employee deductions for union dues. Tennessee has a Republican backed bill pending to end teachers rights to negotiate working conditions.

The following states have also introduced legislation within the past week to limit public worker collective bargaining, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Washington, Alaska and Arizona.

It’s easy to see where this is going. Democrats get their largest contributions from labor unions. Wipe them out.

Then, go after the voters and make it hard or impossible for Democratic voters to vote.

All 27 of the following states have voter ID requirements that are stricter than what HAVA, P.L. 107-252 [Help America Vote Act] mandates. More than 700 bills have been introduced in 46 states to place restrictions on voters.

The following states require voter ID: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

The following states require voter photo ID: Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma*, and South Dakota.

The Republican National Committee makes the following statement on their website “We oppose interventionist policies that put the federal government in control of industry and allow it to pick winners and losers in the marketplace.”

Apparently they have no objections whatsoever to interventionist policies that put them in control of your life.

*effective July 1, 2011

Posted in Elections 2012, Government, News and politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Class I USDA Ground Beef Recall Possible E. coli

Posted on March 9, 2011 by Administrator

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2011 – Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, an Arkansas City, Kan., establishment, is recalling approximately 14,158 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Read full story at the following: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_017_2011_Release/index.asp

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U.S. Navy Secures Release of Japanese-owned Vessel

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Administrator

A request for assistance from a Japanese-owned merchant vessel in the Somali
Basin led to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) warship USS Bulkeley (DDG 84)
securing the release of the vessel and its 24 crew members from four suspected
pirates, Mar. 6.

Click to read full story USS Bulkeley Frees Ship and Crew From Pirates

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What Do You Know About Google – Part II

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

The other day I wrote a little something about Google’s search engine capabilities “What do You Know About Google” which you may read by clicking the following link https://articlesandanswers2011.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/what-do-you-know-about-google/ but today I would like to talk about some of the more unique features of Google.

If you read the article, you now know that Google is also a calculator. It’s also a dictionary, a source for weather information, a translator, and does any number of other things. My writing partner, Richard Walrath, and I recently wrote an article using a word some people may not be familiar with, so we’ll use that word as an example. When you get to the Google search box type in the word “define” followed by the word “desertification” [without quotes] and click ‘enter’ on your keyboard or click ‘search’. In either case, several definitions for the word desertification will appear on your monitor.

Come across something you can’t read because it’s in a foreign language? Let Google translate for you. Right next to the Google search box are the words “Language Tools”, simply click language tools and the rest is self-explanatory.

Want to know the weather? Type the word weather in the search box followed by your zip code. When you find out it’s going to be cloudy, cold and snowy, type in a zip code for southern California to see a little sunshine.

Want to try the new restaurant down the street but you can’t remember whether or not it’s open for lunch, type in the word restaurant followed by your zip code.

How about a movie after lunch? Type in the word movie followed by your zip code and you’ll get a listing of movies playing in your area. We have a large movie complex in our area, whereas the next town over has a much smaller complex, that is also considerably cheaper. If you don’t know the zip code of the nearest town, simply type in the word movie and the City, State and what’s playing in Danson Delaware, or Canson, California will immediately appear on your screen.

Don’t know how to get to the next town? Type in the word map followed by the City, State and you’re well on your way.

Whatever you want, Laundromats, hotels, shoe stores, clothing stores, beauty salons, pet stores, etc., just type in the word, the zip code, or the name of the City, State and Google will find it for you.

There are hundreds of other Google goodies, but we’ll save those for a different day.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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Do Their Elevators Go All the Way up to the Top Floor?

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

United States District Judge Gladys Kessler is the 5th Federal Judge to rule on the constitutionality of PL 111-148 and 111-152 a/k/a “Affordable Care Act or ACA”. Before Judge Kessler’s ruling, the score was 2-2, but she has now ruled stating the law, as written, is constitutional providing us with a new score of 3-2.

Civil Action 10-950 (GK) is a case brought before the court by five plaintiffs against Defendants Eric H. Holder, Jr., Kathleen Sebelius, and Timothy F. Geithner in their official capacities and Defendants United States Department of Health and Human Services and United States Department of the Treasury. The plaintiffs in this case are asking the court to declare that the individual insurance mandate of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Pub. L. No. 111-148, 124 Stat. 119 (2010), as amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, Publ. L. No. 111-152, 124 Stat. 1029 (2010) (“Affordable Care Act” or “ACA”) is unconstitutional on its face.

Obviously I can’t take a 64-page decision and cut it down into a few paragraphs, but that’s what I’m going to attempt to do.

The major argument here is the requirement that beginning in 2014 each individual must obtain health care coverage or pay a monetary penalty. If you combine the length of time the five plaintiffs have not had insurance, it comes out to 61 years, and what they are basically saying is that, even though they can afford health insurance they choose not to have it and therefore, should not have to pay for it. They claim they’re all in good health and if they need medical attention they would prefer to pay ‘out of pocket’.

In the past three years I’ve had six surgeries and believe me, once they get the bill for ‘services rendered’ they might be giving some serious thought to changing their minds

The plaintiffs argue they don’t believe the government has the authority to mandate them to buy insurance or access a penalty and note that between them they would have to pay shared responsibility payments of $27,265.00 for the seven year period beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2020. For the sake of reviewing the numbers, we’re going to assume everyone is equal, and we’ll divide the total figure by 7 (years) to come out to $3,895.00 per year. If we divide that by the five people, we’re down to $779.00/per person, per year or $65.00 per person, per month. The first time I laughed was when I saw the total figure of $27,265.00.

One of these people may be able to get cut open for surgery for $27,265.00, but they’d better have some more funds stashed away because believe me, they’ll need more money to have someone come along to insert the stiches. $27,265.00 doesn’t get you much in a hospital setting any more.

Their next argument is along religious grounds. Three of the plaintiffs “believe that God will provide for their physical, spiritual, and financial well-being, and that “[b]eing forced to buy health insurance conflicts with [their] religious faith because [they] believe[] that [they] would be indicating that [they] need[] a backup plan and [are] not really sure whether God will, in fact, provide for [their] needs.” Two of the plaintiffs “do not wish to purchase health insurance because it is contrary to their beliefs in a holistic approach to medicine” And in general they claim the mandate to purchase insurance “conflicts with their Christian faith because it requires them to perform an act that implies that they doubt God’s ability to provide for their health.”

I’m as much of a Christian as the next guy. I believe in a higher power, I believe that true faith in a higher power allows miracles to happen here on earth, but just like anything else in life you have to draw a line in the sand. Your belief in a higher power will assist with your recovery, it will help you through periods in your life when you have little hope or faith, but before any of that happens you have to have medical personnel there to ‘do their thing’ when necessary.

I pray none of the plaintiffs in this case will ever need to have one life-saving surgery after another as hundreds of thousands of others in this country needed.

Posted in Elections 2012, Government, Health and wellness, Health, Uninsured, Medicare, News and politics, U.S. Courts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

It Could Happen to You

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

After spending the entire afternoon at his favorite sporting goods store, my husband walked in with a bag of burgers and advised he had to use cash at the burger store because his debit card wouldn’t work. My husband uses his debit card for everything. If he stops at a filling station to buy a cold drink, he pays for it with his debit card so all I could do was laugh when he explained he was ‘out of business’.

15 minutes later the phone rang and according to our caller ID, it was some Risk Management association. They asked to speak to my husband, but because I really don’t want a new condo, a trip to anywhere, or a new SUV, I generally screen his calls. I’m especially leery about calls where the caller wants any type of information, as was the case with this call. The gentleman wanted to confirm my husband’s name, and then wanted some information about his debit card usage at which time, I hung up, but the call disturbed me so I went online to check our account balance.

$42.63 is the number I received. I think I looked at it several times before it sank in that something was drastically wrong, so I called the Risk Management place back (thank goodness for caller ID). This time around they explained they work directly for my bank and were hired to cancel debit cards when unusual activities were spotted.

The unusual activities on my husband’s card were a $430.35 purchase in Scottsdale AZ, another $434.71 purchase in Scottsdale, and yet another for $356.17 in the same location, all on Saturday afternoon. The last charge for $356.17 was declined by the card company and the card cancelled.

I was advised by the Risk Management people to go over to our local bank as soon as they opened, explain the situation to them and request a new card. Since Monday was a federal holiday, it meant we wouldn’t be able to go to the bank until Tuesday morning. In the meanwhile, I sent our bank headquarters an e-mail through my online banking account explaining what happened.

Bright and early yesterday morning we left the house, knowing it was going to take us at least the entire morning to get this mess straightened out. Our worse fears were realized when we arrived at the bank and were told by the personal banker they were ‘down’ because the Windows 7 operating system had just been installed on all their computers and they were not yet ‘up and running’. Our banker was very optimistic she would be able to contact the main branch and have them fax over the documents for signature.

Less than 10 minutes later we were out the door. My initial e-mail had provided headquarters with all the information they needed so headquarters filled out the paperwork, faxed it for my husband’s signature, advised a new card had already been ordered, and advised our money would be put back in our account generally within 48 hours, but it could take up to 10 working days. At the end of a 90-day period, they would send a letter advising how their investigation came out, but in the meanwhile we would not be held liable for any of the charges incurred by the Scottsdale buyers.

We were also advised this is extremely common that there is more and more fraudulent use of credit/debit card numbers. Apparently there is some sort of device that can be attached to an ATM machine that scans transactions and provides the thieves with account data. This is not what happened to my husband’s card however, as he never uses an ATM machine.

More than likely what happened in his particular instance is the thief simply printed up debit cards, using random numbers, and his number came up. Our banker explained the purchases were made using the card number, without the pin number, and because they were made at a Wal-Mart on a Saturday afternoon the clerk at the store did little to verify the validity of the purchases.

When you do your best to avoid situations like this and still get stung, it’s distressing and it’s even more distressing that ALL of us are paying for this type of fraud. The bank may forgive the charges, but they’re out (in this particular instance) almost $900 unless they can catch the people responsible and have them pay. That $900 is made up by all of us in the form of higher interest rates and increased banking fees for all services; therefore we all need to use our cards as responsibly as possible.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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CONGRATULATIONS to Rahm Emanuel

Posted on February 23, 2011 by Administrator

98 percent of the precincts have reported and Rahm Emanuel is the winner of the Chicago Mayoral Election with 55% percent of the vote. The campaign began with Rahm Emanuel behind the eight-ball as his residency was challenged. Petitioners Walter P. Maksym, Jr. and Thomas L. McMahon filed a lawsuit stating Emanuel did not meet the residency requirements, due to the fact he had lived in Washington D.C. for the year preceding the election.

This argument ended up before the Illinois Supreme Court before the matter was eventually decided in Emanuel’s favor.

Had Emanuel not won by more than 50% of the vote, a run-off election in April would have been necessary. As it stands, there is no doubt who Chicago wants as its next Mayor with Emanuel winning 55 percent, Gery Chico 24%, and City Clerk Miguel del Valle and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL) each winning 9% of the vote.

This is a fairytale come true for Rahm Emanuel as he has always dreamed of being Mayor of Chicago.

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U.S. forces respond to gunfire aboard the S/V Quest

Posted on February 22, 2011 by Administrator

TAMPA, Fla. (Feb. 22, 2011) — At approximately 1 a.m. EST today, while negotiations were ongoing to secure the release of four American hostages, U.S. forces responded to gunfire aboard the pirated vessel (S/V) Quest. As they responded to the gunfire, reaching and boarding the Quest, the forces discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors. Despite immediate steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages ultimately died of their wounds. Click the following link to read full story from United States Central Command http://www.centcom.mil/press-releases/u-s-forces-respond-to-gunfire-aboard-the-s-v-quest

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The Planet of Extremes

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Administrator

By Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

We live on a planet of extremes. The greatest portion of fresh water on earth is in frozen Antarctica. Most people know 70% of the earth is covered with water, but most don’t know that 97.5% of that water is sea-water, while only 2.5% is fresh water. The main reason our source of fresh water is declining is due to our constantly increasing world population. Source: www.MapsofWorld.com

Following is chart indicating population explosions in the top three countries of the world over the past 40 year period.

While U.S. and China populations increased significantly over the past 40 years, India’s population has doubled within that same period of time.

With 70% of the earth covered by water, only 30% is land, and close to two-thirds of that is desert or otherwise inhabitable. Our steadily expanding desert areas caused mainly by desertification, combined with weather related coastal erosion and our ever increasing population doesn’t leave much inhabitable land left to live on.

2009 Map by NASA Earth Observatory

2005 was the warmest year on record until NASA’s GISS announced on January 12, 2011 that 2010 tied 2005 as the warmest year on record. The difference between the temperatures in 2005 and 2010 was less than 0.018 degrees Fahrenheit – making them a statistical tie.

2009, as depicted by the above map, was tied with 1998, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007 as being the 2nd warmest years on record and the period from 2000 through 2010 became the warmest decade on record according to NASA.

That being the case, how could we possibly end up with the following image of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas and the Texas Panhandle covered in white? The following image taken by NASA’s MODIS [Moderate Resolution Imaging spectroradiometer] on February 10, 2011 indicating nearly all states listed above are covered in ice and snow “except for a bit of clouds in the lower right (southeast corner).

Is it any wonder the climate of the world is changing? The difference between weather and climate is time.

Weather is the term used for short term changes in temperatures, while climate is determined over a period of years and the changes in the climate of our planet [global warming] is caused in part by all of the items listed above, decreasing water supply, coastal erosion, growing population and expanding desert area while the actual weather changes in the US can be attributed to Northern Hemisphere Arctic Oscillation due to global warming.

For the first 70 years of the last century Arctic Oscillation followed a climate pattern of a positive phase, followed by a negative phase, followed by a positive phase. Around 1970 the pattern changed and the positive phase has been far more prevalent than the negative phase in the past 40 years. The pattern changes have caused the cold air that usually stays in the Arctic to move south, while warmer air is pushed northward.

Hence, the unusual snow and ice covering US States that historically have seen very little snow and ice.

So, where do we go from here? With the earth getting warmer, the world’s population constantly increasing, desert area expanding, coasts eroding, water supplies decreasing, what are we doing about these problems? It’s hard to believe, but the answer is practically nothing. As far as global warming or climate change is concerned, the answer to that is to deny that it is happening.

© 2011 Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

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What do You Know About Google?

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

I think by now everyone in the entire galaxy knows Google is a search engine, but do you really know how to use it?

Let’s use my last search as an example. I want to incorporate a “Thought for the Day” in the mailings I send out on occasion. I just type ‘thought for the day” in the Google search box at http://www.google.com/ and I’m going to get close to a ½ a billion [480 million] responses. So, let’s narrow down our search at the beginning.

Instead of typing ‘thought for the day’ in the search box, let’s type in ‘motivational thought for the day’. By adding one word the results dropped to 272 thousand. This is good 272,000 is much easier to work with than 480 million, but it’s still too large a sample.

I like Susan Polis Schultz quotes so let’s see what happens if we add her name to our search. This time we’ll type in “motivational thought for the day susan polis schultz” in our Google search box. Voila’ we’re now down to 6,610 results and a quote I like.

“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.” ~Susan Polis Schultz

ThinkExist.com

Once you copy and paste your quote into whatever it is you’re working on be sure you follow-up (1) You must copy it exactly word for word, and give credit to the author and (2) Indicate the URL of the quote on the internet, if you copied it from the internet. We don’t want to violate any copyright laws now do we?

So the key to success in Google searches is to put as much information as possible about the search in the initial search box.

Oh darn, I forgot to put all the information in – what should I do now? Instead of retyping your search simply scroll down to the bottom of the page where there is another search box. This box will already have the words in it that you previously typed, simply add the additional words to the box and Google will search within the results of your initial search for your new words.

If you’re still not able to find what you’re looking for, do not hesitate to use Google’s “Advanced Search”.

For this example let’s say I want to find a particular article I wrote. If I don’t have a search box on my website I can go to advanced search and type in the name of our website in the bottom box, the name of the article in “this exact wording or phrase:” and Voila’ – Google spits out my article. You have to play with the advanced search box for a while before you become proficient, but believe me, when you’re looking for something you can’t find, it’s the way to go!

Did you know Google is a gigantic calculator? Probably not… so let’s go there for a minute. Say you want to add 724,000 to 15,543. In the Google search box type in 724000+15543= and click ‘enter’ on your computer, or “search” next to the search box. In either case you’ll get the answer 739 543 [739,543]. Do not put in any commas and do not leave open spaces. If you want to subtract, put in 724000-15543 =you do not need to insert the = sign, but I do it as a matter of habit because if you do more than one calculation your last answer will remain on the screen. If you want to multiply you use the *, and if you want to divide you use the forward slash. 724000*15543 = 10 456 732 000 or 724000/15543=46.4804542.

There’s more to come.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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Is timing a Key Ingredient in Political Poll Results?

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

Gallup recently came out with a new poll that asked the question

27. If Barack Obama runs for re-election in 2012, are you more likely to vote for Obama or for the Republican Party’s candidate for president?

The poll was taken between February 2, 2011 and February 5, 2011 and involved automated calls to a minimum of 850 land line phone users and 150 cell phone users. Landline recipients were “chosen at random within each household on the basis of which member had the most recent birthday.”

The results of this poll were then compared to a poll taken the first week of February 2010.

Not quite sure I understand the “birthday” requirement, but it’s one of the many thousands of items I no longer comprehend when it comes to political polls.

What I find extremely disturbing about this particular poll is the timing. They are comparing a poll taken during the three days from February 2010, the 1, 2 and 3rd, to a four-day poll taken in 2011 on February 2, 3rd 4th and 5th. If that isn’t strange enough for you, then check out the days of the week.

The 2010 poll was taken on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Works for me!

Yet, the 2011 poll was taken on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. If you’re going to compare pigeons to porpoises why not do it on the same day of week? Why wasn’t the February 2011 poll taken on the first three days of the week, just like the 2010 poll?

The answer is NEWS!

It’s really difficult to get any good juicy political news on Sunday because for the most no one is working however, if a bombshell is dropped there’s no time like the present to run a poll.

Such is the case with the February 2011 Gallup Poll.

Senior United States District Judge Roger Vinson of the Northern District Court of Florida, released his 78-page decision declaring “The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” [Obamacare] unconstitutional. The decision was released on January 31, 2011, which gave it a day to hit the front page of all the newspapers, and the next day Gallop began their automated calls.

For the most part voters, in general, do not understand that Vinson’s decision is simply one of four. There have been four decisions made on this issue to date, two stating the law is constitutional and two stating the law is unconstitutional. This decision will be appealed and before it’s all over the issue will go before the Supreme Court of the United States and an actual ruling on the constitutionality will be made at that time.

But, what a better time to run a poll than when the President of the United States has just been set back on his heels.

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

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What is a Hoax? – When in Doubt, Check it Out!

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

Encarta, North American, English dictionary defines a hoax as “an act intended to trick people into believing something is real when it is not”.

You can call it a hoax, myth, folklore, rumor, misinformation, prank, fraud, deception, legend, fairytale, gossip, tale, scam, scheme, swindle or any number of items but the fact remains what you are being sent is simply not true.

How do you know it’s a hoax? It’s really difficult to tell. I’ve had people, who are otherwise highly intelligent, send me e-mails that were so absurd in nature they had to be flagged as hoaxes, yet they weren’t; they were passed on to ‘save the world’. The reason is most of us do not have the time available to check on the validity of each and every e-mail we receive.

My rule of thumb on e-mails is simple – if it sounds too stupid to be true, it probably isn’t. When it comes to e-mails that are political in nature, I jump on them like a hungry dog on a bone because of the seriousness of passing them on as they stand.

Most voters want to be well-informed on the issues. They want to know all about the dirt out there that’s surrounding their candidate or the opposing candidate, or the party; but passing the e-mail on, simply perpetuates the lies.

Does anyone out there really think the Republicans would have taken over the U.S. House in the mid-terms if it hadn’t been for the mountains of phony e-mails that were sent out in the year preceding the election? I don’t.

Historically, fear has been used against U.S. voters and we continue to eat it up. Remember the non-existent Weapons of Mass Destruction? Remember the one about Congress not paying into Social Security or continuing to draw the same pay until they die? How about President Obama redoing the White House in a Muslim motif? How about the one saying Congress had passed a law stating illegal immigrants could collect Social Security benefits? Remember the Muslim stamp ordered by President Obama? How about former Governor Palin’s comments about Death Panels? This one still annoys me, because it cost the elderly a benefit that could have proved beneficial to many.

How about the one saying President Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. – I think this one has to be my favorite… how long exactly do you think the Republicans would allow Obama to continue to sit in the Oval office if they could actually prove he was born outside the U.S.?

All of these myths and thousands of others have been ‘debunked’ at any number of resources. Take a quick look at the following FAQ’s from Hoax Busters – just click on the question for the answer, as they’re all links.

There are excellent sources on the internet for debunking these myths, just insert hoax in the search box on Google, or your search engine of choice. Following are a few suggestions – Fact Check, Snopes, Hoax Busters,

© 2011 Patricia L Johnson

Posted in Computers and Internet, Elections 2012, Government, Medicare, News and politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Speaker of the House, John Boehner – “It’s Not My Job”

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

The Los Angeles Times wrote an Editorial on February 15, 2011 addressing Speaker of the House, John Boehner’s (R-Oh) unwillingness to address the issue of President Obama’s birthplace with constituents.

“… Boehner’s response to David Gregory’s question about whether, as speaker, "it’s your responsibility to speak out against that kind of ignorance?" Boehner responded: "David, it’s not my job to tell the American people what to think. The American people have the right to think what they want to think."

When a person, any person, is in a position of authority it is their responsibility to provide others with facts when they know the facts, especially on issues that are controversial.

The subject of President Obama’s birth is definitely controversial, but not because it hasn’t been proven over and over again that he was born in Honolulu, State of Hawaii, USA at 7:24 pm on August 4, 1961. The subject is controversial because Republicans want to keep it that way – it’s to their advantage and they want to keep it a controversial issue.

“FactCheck.org is a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania” with a goal of increasing public knowledge and understanding of political issues. FactCheck.org is a nonpartisan, nonprofit voter advocate.

President Obama’s birth certificate has been personally examined by FactCheck staff and it is their contention the document is true and accurate.

“FactCheck.org staffers have now seen, touched, examined and photographed the original birth certificate. We conclude that it meets all of the requirements from the State Department for proving U.S. citizenship.”

Their website includes no less than 9 photographs of the birth certificate and various seals.

Those familiar with the technical abilities of an excellent printer and scanner are aware of the fact documents can be touched up, revised, and tampered with and unless you’re a pro it’s difficult to recognize a fake document from the real deal, but you cannot tamper with everything. Certain items must remain intact and FactCheck has determined seals, signatures and stamps are valid.

Their site also includes a copy of the birth announcement that was placed in the Honolulu Advertiser on August 13, 1961. Simply stated, it is impossible to change history, no matter what kind of fancy equipment you have at your disposal you cannot change what was printed in a newspaper nearly 50 years ago.

You may read FactCheck’s analysis and see all photos at the following link http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html you can even download your own copies.

If you want further information, the Hawaii Department of Health Vital Records Department has an entire webpage on the subject.

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Are you able to answer the 12 political questions in the Pew News IQ Quiz correctly?

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

Take the Quiz at http://pewresearch.org/politicalquiz/quiz/ and compare your answers to those of 1,001 adults that were asked the very same questions during the last Pew Research telephone survey [July 2010].

Pew Research began questioning adults on their news knowledge back in the late 1980’s. Their 2007 report also contains an analysis of knowledge levels according to the news source people watch. The 2007 survey involved questioning 1,502 adults and provided the following results. Individuals whose regular source of news is TV, those watching the Daily Show /Colbert Report are going to obtain a higher score, but those watching Fox News as their regular source are going to score lower. Men scored higher than women on this particular survey, those more educated scored better than those less educated, and the elderly scored higher than the younger folks.

With all the technological advancements that have been made in this country during the period from the late 80’s through 2007, the public was not better informed on the news in 2007 than they were in 1989, in fact, on many of the questions the public did better in 1989 than in 2007.

54% [1 of every two people surveyed] that watched the Daily Show/Colbert Report were able to answer 15 of the 23 questions correctly that were asked on the 2007 survey, yet only 35% [1 of every three people] surveyed that watched Fox News were able to answer 15 of the 23 questions correctly.

Not all Fox News viewers did poorly however; those that watch the O’Reilly Factor with Bill O’Reilly did very well, and came in with a score of 51%.

“The full reports from earlier versions of the quiz are also available (See July 2010, January 2010, October 2009, April 2009, December 2008, February 2008, September 2007 and April 2007). The April 2007 report also includes an analysis of how knowledge levels vary according to people’s news sources.”

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The Budget of the United States Government for Fiscal Year 2012

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Administrator

“Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2012 contains the Budget Message of the President, information on the President’s priorities, budget overviews organized by agency, and summary tables.”

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/Overview

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HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FEBRUARY 14, 2011

Posted on February 14, 2011 by Administrator

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Tea Party Candidates have been in Congress Too Long!

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

Representative Hal Rogers (R-KY), Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced a revised bill for FY 2011 with additional cuts.

Supposedly the additional cuts are due to demands by Tea Party freshman, but really…. what sort of demands can freshman representatives serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for only a few weeks exert over seasoned professional politicians?

The 1ST session of the 112th Congress didn’t begin until January 5. They were on a Republican retreat from the 13th to the 15th, they were off on the 17th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and January 31 – February 4 was ‘Constituent Work Week’, yet by February 11th they know enough to demand more than $100 billion in spending cuts over the next seven months?

Whoever proposed these particular cuts needs to get out of the people’s business and go back where they came from.

At a time when unemployment is at the highest level in decades they want to cut 1397.4 [$1.4 billion] from Grants to States for Training and Employment Services, and 525.0 [$525 million] from community Service Employment for Older Americans.

At a time when more and more people are suffering from unknown illnesses, they want the Center for Disease Control and Prevention to cut 850.0 [$850 million] from their General Reduction funding.

At a time when parents are barely able to keep food on the table for their children the people that were voted in to control the U.S. House of Representatives want to cut 747.2 [$747 million] from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC).

At a time when single parents are struggling more than they ever have before, your U.S. House of Representatives want to reduce Low Income Home Energy Assistance by 390.3 [$390 million]and Head Start by 1083.0 [$1.1 billion].

No one has been left out in the cold on this one as they even want to reduce Military Construction, Veterans Affairs BRAC by 5100.0 [$5.1 billion], Minor Construction by 235.0 [$235 million] and Information Technology by 277.0 [$277 million].

Transportation, HUD – Project Based Rental Assistance is being hit with a 715.5 [$716 million] cut, National Infrastructure 600.0 [$600 million], FAA Facilities 422.2 [$422 million], FHWA General Fund 650.0 [$650 million], FTA, Capital Investment Grants 430.9 [$431 million], FRA, High Speed Rail 2500.0 [$2.5 billion], Public Housing Capital 1072.0 [$1.1 billion], Community Development Fund 2950.0 [$3.0 billion], and FRA, High Speed Rail from FY2010 2475.00 [$2.5 billion].

At a time when states want more funding to assist with the illegal immigrant problem in this country, these legislators want to cut 581.3 [$581 million]from State & Local Law Enforcement Assistance plus 350.0 [$350 million] from Customs and Border Protection – Border Security Fencing, Infrastructure, and Technology.

At a time when more and more states are seeing tragedies unfold before them, this batch of new legislators want to take 783.3 [$783 million] from FEMA – State and Local Programs, as well as 510.0 [$510 million] in FEMA – Assistance to Firefighter Grants and 100.0 [$100 million] from FEMA – Emergency Food and Shelter.

At a time when millions of the citizens in the U.S. have no health care, these people want to reduce funding by 1000.0 [$1 billion] for Community Health Centers.

At a time when citizens in this country are not getting necessary mental health treatment [does the name Jared Loughner ring a bell?] they want to cut 200.0 [$200 million] from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

At a time when developing alternative energy resources should be first and foremost on our agenda, the new House wants to cut 441.0 [$441 million] from Construction, Corps of Engineers, 786.3 [$786 million] from Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and 893.2 [$893 million] from Science.

At a time when the Internal Revenue Service needs all the help they can get collecting taxes from those that aren’t paying their fair share, the new House wants to cut 285.0 [$285 million] from Internal Revenue Service Enforcement and 227.0 [$227 million] from Operations Support.

And, let us not forget the 1410.0 [$1.4 billion] they want to cut from the EPA Clean Water SRF or the 557.0 [$557 million] from EPA Drinking Water SRF.

Are you ready to drink dirty water? Are you willing to have your children drink dirty water?

Do not forget that while these Republicans are busy proposing cuts to any and all domestic programs they recently refused to cut federal subsidies to oil companies.

I have two questions for the 112th U.S. House – (1) what will the impact of cutting more than $100 billion in funding over the next seven months due to our fragile economy and (2) when the government slashes all these programs and puts millions more out of work who is going to provide for their needs?

A complete listing of proposed cuts may be found by clicking the following link http://thehill.com/images/stories/news/2011/02_february/weekend021211/programcuts.pdf

©2011 Patricia L Johnson

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What is the Debt Subject to Limit?

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

The Debt Subject to Limit is “the maximum amount of money the government is allowed to borrow without receiving additional authority from Congress”, not to be confused with the deficit. The deficit is the fiscal year difference between the amounts the U.S. Treasury receives in revenues [receipts] less the amount it pays out [outlays]. Source: U.S. Treasury

The current statutory limit of $14.294 trillion dollars [$14,294,000,000,000.00] was set February 12, 2010, when President Obama signed H.J. Res 45, a joint resolution passed by Congress on January 28, 2010.

Over the next month the Debt Subject to Limit will be the main topic of the day. Everyone will have an opinion on when it should be increased, how much it should be increased, etc. Eventually the limit will be increased. More than likely not until the very last minute, as the Republicans are in control of the U.S. House, which gives them control of the purse strings. Appropriation requests begin in the U.S. House, so they’ll probably drag their feet as long as humanely possible.

Not increasing the debt subject to limit could in effect put discretionary government programs on hold, while continually necessary services [services as defined by the President]. This consequence is highly unlikely due to the flak the Republicans would receive from the public.

Increasing the debt subject to limit is the perfect time for one party to push the blame on another and they’ll be a lot of talk about the out-of-control-spending by the Democrats. That’s not quite the way I see it.

So, let’s take a trip back in time. The last debt increase prior to George W. Bush taking office on January 20, 2001 was on August 5, 1997 when the debit limit was raised to $5,950.0. During the eight-years of the Clinton presidency the debit limit was raised a total of $1.805 trillion dollars.

Along came President George W. Bush, under his administration the debt subject to limit was increased seven times as follows: 2002, $450 billion, 2003 $984 billion, 2004 $800 billion, 2005 $781 billion, 2007 $850 billion, 2008 $800 billion and three months later in 2008 $700 billion, for a total increase of $5.365 trillion dollars during his eight-year term.

President Bush left office on January 20, 2009, which is the same day President Barack Obama took office. Less than one month later [February 17, 2009], the debt subject to limit had to be increased once again by $789 billion to $12,104.0 The American Recovery and Investment Act of 2009, P.L. 111-5 was not signed into law until February 17, 2009 so this particular increase was not due to any legislation put in place by the Obama administration.

At the end of December 2009 the debt subject to limit was increased by $290 billion and on February 12, 2010 increased by $1.9 trillion to its current total of $14.294 trillion.

Although the debt subject to limit is not the same as the deficit, the two are related. The same items that impacts one has an effect on the other, see “Facts Behind Current U.S. Deficit”

Legislation signed into law during the period from 2001 through 2008 (President George W. Bush) caused a $903 billion dollar deficit for fiscal year 2009. That much of a deficit in one fiscal year creates an ongoing need for increases in the Debt Subject to Limit. Legislative changes by year may be viewed on the following Deficit Chart Source: Table 4. Budgetary Effects of Legislative Changes by Year of Enactment FY2001-FY2009 ($ in billions) – Congressional Research Service “The Impact of Major Legislation on Budget Deficits: 2001-2009”

©2011 Patricia L Johnson

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Tidbits – Kasparov 1 – Deep Blue 0 – February 10

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson
Fifteen years ago today Gary Kasparov, world chess champion, lost game one of a six-game match to IBM’s Deep Blue computer. Kasparov went on to win the $400,000 prize with three wins and two ties.

A year later, May 13, 1997, there was a rematch between Gary and Deep Blue, with Deep Blue winning the $700,000 prize. Kasparov won the first game, Deep Blue the second, the next three games tied, and the last match game was won by the computer. In 2003 Kasparov played Deep Junior, with the match ending in a tie. Two years later he retired from the game.

Kasparov, the Soviet Union’s junior chess champion at age 13, was born in Baku Azerbaijan in 1963 and was the youngest world champ to ever beat Soviet player Anatoly Karpov (thought by many to be the greatest player ever).

What was so unusual about the 1996 game is the fact it was the first time a human and computer played a regulation, six game match “in which each player had two hours to make 40 moves, two hours to finish the next 20 moves and then another 60 minutes to wrap up the game.”

Source: History.com

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Tidbits – How to Become President without an Election

Posted on February 8, 2011 by Administrator

In 1973 Spiro Agnew was Vice President and Richard Nixon was President. Agnew resigned due to the fact the US Attorney’s office in Baltimore MD advised his lawyers, in a letter, that Agnew was being investigated for conspiracy, extortion and bribery. It was alleged that as Governor of Maryland he accepted kickbacks on state contracts. Eventually a deal was brokered between the US Attorney’s office and Agnew and part of the deal was he would resign as VP. Once he resigned [October 10, 1973] President Nixon nominated House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford as VP, in accordance with Section 2 of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Ford’s nomination was confirmed by Congress and he became the Vice President.

Section 2. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.

When Watergate broke, Richard Nixon resigned as President of the United States on August 9, 1974, and VP Ford became President Ford, in accordance with Section 1 of the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.

Section 1. In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Once Ford became President he nominated Nelson Rockefeller as Vice President and his nomination was also confirmed by Congress.

When everything was said and done we ended up with both a President and a Vice President that were ‘appointed’ rather than elected to their respective offices. Ford and Rockefeller remained in office for the balance of the Nixon term (3 plus years). At the end of the term Ford ran for re-election and lost to Jimmy Carter, while Nelson Rockefeller did not run as VP and dropped out of politics.

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Why the U.S. desperately Needs Health Care Reform

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

My health insurance company has been billed hundreds of thousands of dollars for various long-term injuries/illnesses acquired during the past 35 months. The deductible and co-insurance payments were astronomical, but fortunately I have two insurance carriers.

Do you have two medical insurance policies? Would you be able to pay the deductibles and co-insurance if you were in the same position? Many, many people could not and sometimes people get illnesses where you can’t say, well – I think I’ll skip the treatment this month because I really can’t afford the additional expense.

Medical care in this country is totally out of control. One of the main reasons is pharmaceutical costs Pharmaceutical companies will develop a new drug and use it in a trial for xx number of years or months. If the findings are beneficial to a patient, that trial period becomes the recommended period of time that a patient should take the drug, until a new trial is performed obtaining the same results within a shorter period of time. The truth is they don’t want to run trials for shorter periods or manufacture generics because it’s not beneficial to their stockholders to bring in a lower profit each month. Their goal is higher profits.

Ask yourself honestly – why would they want to run a shorter trial when they can keep you hooked on their drug for an extended period? It’s not like you can go out and purchase a substitute. The pharmaceutical company obtains a patent and no one can manufacture the generic version of that that drug until the patent runs out.

The patent allows the pharmaceutical company to recoup the research and development costs of the drug. This manner of protecting drug companies was beneficial ‘back in the day’. A new day has dawned however, and pharmaceutical companies don’t need 10-12 years to recoup costs. They simply raise the price of the drug and make a tidy profit the first year.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148 passed by the Obama administration, in March of 2010, is the first step toward reducing health care costs in this country. This public law has been met with nothing less than moans and groans but the fact is this country must have health insurance reform to survive.

A major error made by the Bush administration was providing Medicare Part D coverage to the elderly and disabled, without providing the Department of Health and Human Services the ability to negotiate the price of drugs with pharmaceutical companies. For example – Medicare pays $1,485.00 for a year’s supply of the cholesterol drug Zocor, while Veterans Affairs pays $127.00 for the same quantity. The difference is Veterans Affairs is allowed to negotiate prescription drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies, while Medicare is not.

If you want to take a look at politics at it’s very worse check out the following 60 minutes report on drug lobbyists and the Medicare Part D bill. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) was signed into law December 8, 2003 and went into effect January 1, 2006.

This bill was not a gift to the elderly and disabled in this country. It was a gift to big business in the form of increased revenues for pharmaceutical companies courtesy of President George W. Bush and his Republican Congress. If you doubt this claim, take a look at the following listing. In 2009, these pharmaceutical companies were ranked 1 to 5. (1) Johnson and Johnson (2) Pfizer (3) Abbott Laboratories (4) Merck and (5) Wyeth. 2005 Revenues (in millions) are as follows: (1) $10,411.0 (2) 8.085.0 (3) 3,372.1 (4) $4,631.3 and (5) $3,656.3 for a total revenue for these five companies of $30.1 billion for 2005.

By 2009 these revenues had increased by $158 billion to the following: (1) $63,747.0 (2) $48,296.0 (3) $29,527.6 (4) $23,850.3 and (5) $22,833.9 for a revenue total for 2009 of $188 billion.

Simply stated, the Republicans provided the Pharmaceutical industry with the gift of an additional $58 billion dollars in sales during the four-year period from 2006 to 2009 (after the law went into effect).

What did the Republicans do to increase your income during that same period of time?

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And the score was 31-25

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Administrator

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“That Old Trickle-Down Thing Wasn’t Working”

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

There are some politicians you just plain like whether or not you agree with their politics. President Ronald Reagan was one of those people. He had a winning personality and even if you disagreed with him, you were willing to give him a chance just because he was so charming.

He was a great actor and savvy politician, but he was not a great leader that brought wealth and prosperity to the United States, quite the opposite.

Ronald Reagan signed The Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (PL 97-34) into law on August 13, 1981. PL97-34 contained 300 tax provisions and took three years to implement. PL97-34 did cut the personal income tax rate which was hovering at 70% when Reagan took office [twice the amount of our current high personal income tax rate].

Revenues did increase by $474.1 billion dollars during the Reagan 8-year term of office, but each and every year resulted in a budget deficit and by the end of his 8-year term Ronald Reagan had increased the federal debt by almost $1.7 trillion dollars – 3.5 times the amount the revenues increased.

Therefore, during his second term in office the personal income tax rate was raised again with the Tax Reform Act of 1986, TRA86, (PL 99-514).

The problem with the Reagan deficit was the fact there was no reason for it, other than reducing the income tax rate. Historically the national debt has risen in periods of war when the costs of war have generally been financed by borrowing rather than raising taxes. The entire Reagan presidency was during peacetime so there were not any war costs involved.

The debt ballooned from 26.1 percent of GDP when Reagan took office, to a whopping 40.6 percent of GDP when he left.

As his son Ron stated during a recent interview with AOL News http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/02/son-ron-says-ronald-reagan-would-see-todays-gop-as-mean-spirit/

After all, as governor of California, he signed a liberal abortion law six years before Roe v. Wade. As president, he granted amnesty for illegal immigrants and, after slashing taxes, he raised them when "that old trickle-down thing wasn’t working," his son said.

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ELECTION 2014

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Administrator

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE        REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE

PRESIDENT (elected for a four-year term) Barack Obama (D) Incumbent, next election 2016).

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (elected for a two-year term)

Total (435) U.S. House Members will be up for election to the 114th Congress

U.S. SENATE (six-year term, split into three classes. Every two years one class is up for re-election)

(33) Class II Senate seats will be up for election to the 114th Congress

(2) Class III Senate seats will be up for election to the 114 Congress (Senator Brian Schatz and Senator Tim Scott)

(3) Senate seats will be up for election to the 114th Congress due to retirement of (Senator Max Baucus, Senator Tom Coburn, and Senator Carl Levin.

In total there will be (38) Senate seats up for election (22 Democratic seats and 16 Republican).

GOVERNORS – State election laws determine term

Total (36) Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

In total there will be (36) Gubernatorial seats up for election (23 Republican and 13 Democratic).

LIMITS ON CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

GENERAL INFORMATION VOTING AND ELECTIONS

 

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USDA Class I Beef Recall – Possible E. coli contamination

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Administrator

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 2011 – American Food Service, a Pico Rivera, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 3,170 pounds of fresh ground beef patties and other bulk packages of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.

Read full story at the following link: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/News_&_Events/Recall_008-2011_Release/index.asp

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Facts Behind Current U.S. Deficit

Posted on February 4, 2011 by Administrator

You know how it works, in one hand you have your checkbook showing your last deposit and in the other hand a stack of bills. You see the advertisement on TV showing just how many empty water bottles it takes to circle the earth and you wonder how many bills it would take to do the same. For most of us it’s a never-ending battle, the balance in the checkbook just simply doesn’t go far enough to cover bills, plus everyday expenses.

The country is in the same situation; we put money in the bank from receipts then pay it out on expenses [outlays]. If there’s any left over, it’s a surplus and if we don’t have enough it’s a deficit. A deficit is similar to an overdraft by spending money you don’t have. The difference between us and the U.S. is the United States has an obligation to pay certain items whether or not there is money in the kitty.

In the past 10-year period there have only been two years that the federal government did not show a deficit. In 2000 we had a surplus of $236 billion dollars, which is the last year President Clinton was in office and the following year we had a surplus of $128 billion, more than likely a carryover from the Clinton policies.

So, we know where we’re at, but how did we really get there? The Republicans would have us believe President Obama’s economic policies have put us so far in debt we’ll never see the light of day, but that’s simply not what happened.

Think about something for a minute, “Obamacare” was signed into law in March of 2010, yet the economy will not see the full extent of the legislative changes for our new health care policy for many years to come. Is this an exception to the rule? No, most major legislation does not immediately go into effect; therefore it will have an impact over many years.

A review of the above chart will indicate, with the exception of 2001, the U.S. had a deficit every year President Bush was in office. The legislative changes put into effect under his administration did not immediately cease the minute he left 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue; the policies signed into law under Bush remain in effect until legislation is passed to change.

The following table lists legislative changes from 2001 through 2009 and the effect the legislation had on the deficit. For fiscal year 2009, this prior legislation created a deficit of $1.361 or $1.4 trillion dollars (rounded).

So, simply put the $1.4 trillion dollar deficit shown in the above chart for 2009 cannot be blamed on President Obama, since only $458 billion was due to legislation signed into law during his first year in office. The balance of the deficit – $903 billion – is left over from the Bush administration.

See https://articlesandanswers2011.wordpress.com/2010/07/20/deficit-chart/ for legislative changes by fiscal year.

Year Legislation

Passed
 Impact on

FY 2009 Deficit
2001 Legislation -241
2002 Legislation -121
2003 Legislation -189
2004 Legislation -128
2005 Legislation 3
2006 Legislation -92
2007 Legislation -32
2008 Legislation -103
2009 Legislation -458
Total -1,361
Original data source: Table 4. Budgetary Effects of Legislative Changes by Year of Enactment, FY2001-FY2009
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Bachmann Proposes VA Cuts

Posted on February 3, 2011 by Administrator

Stars and Stripes recently ran an article talking about Michele Bachmann’s new plan for cutting expenses. Bachmann is the U.S. Representative from the 6th Congressional district in MN and founder of the House Tea Party Caucus, a group promoting cuts in government spending.

Her plan is to decrease spending by $400 billion dollars, including cutting Veterans Affairs budget by $4.5 billion dollars. Here we are involved in two wars, two wars that were not initiated by Veterans, yet this Republican is sending their benefits to the chopping block. The cuts would be in two areas, a cap on increases in VA health care spending and a reduction in disability compensation. What she wants to do is decrease the amount of disability compensation disabled vets receive, by the amount received in Social Security disability.

Veterans Affairs disability compensation is awarded to a veteran that has been disabled while in service to our county. It can be paid for something as major as a soldier losing a limb while in combat, or to a soldier falling down during basic training and shattering a limb. It is paid to the Veteran for a disability incurred by him/her during military service.

Social Security Disability payments are paid to individuals that are determined to have a totally disabling, permanent, medical condition that prevents them from working. Disability payments are not paid short term and/or to individuals that are partially disabled. Social Security Disability payments are awarded to the individual based on the number of work credits earned.

Let’s say a veteran receives $1,500 dollars in VA disability and $750 dollar in Social Security disability. Bachmann’s plan is to deduct the $750 in Social Security Disability payments from the $1,500 dollars the veteran is receiving from Veterans Affairs leaving the Veteran with a total income of $750 dollars.

There are cuts that can be made and there are cuts that can be made, but when it comes to cutting our veterans disability benefits so the Republicans can continue to provide billions of dollars in subsidies to the oil industry, a line has to be drawn.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics tea party candidates received an average contribution of $25,000 from the oil and gas industry, so it’s not surprising cuts to Veterans benefits are being considered by this Tea Party Republican prior to considering cuts in oil subsidies.

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In the News – Rahm Emanuel

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

The Illinois Supreme Court has made their decision and Rahm Emanuel will stay in the Chicago Mayoral election, reversing the Appellate Court decision and affirming the circuit court judgment.

Quite often lawmakers discuss changing the rules to reduce the amount of frivolous lawsuits before the court system, generally meaning medical malpractice suits.

Why aren’t they pushing to have lawsuits like this one tossed out? I’m an Illinois resident and, without a doubt, I can’t think of anything more frivolous than questioning the residency status of someone that owns a home, pays real estate taxes, and is a registered voter, in the area where he is running for office.

Serving your country, by serving the President of the United States is an honor and to question the legitimacy of someone’s residency after they have spent two years in Washington DC working for the President comes across as being totally absurd.

Somewhere along the line common sense should have prevailed. The amount of paperwork this one issue brought before the courts is ridiculous and as far as I’m concerned the petitioners, Walter P. Maksym, Jr. and Thomas L. McMahon should be billed accordingly. Maybe if the individuals initiating frivolous lawsuits were billed accordingly, there would be far fewer cases cluttering our court system.

· Appellate Court Opinion – Maksym v. The Board of Election Commissioners of the City of Chicago – January 24, 2011

· Emergency Motion for a Stay Pending Appeal and to Expedite Consideration of Petition for Leave to Appeal – January 24, 2011

· Notice of Filing – January 25, 2011

· Response in Opposition to Petitoner-Appellee’s Motion for Stay Pending Appeal – January 25, 2011

· Supreme Court Order Allowing in Part Emergency Motion for Stay Pending Appeal –January 25, 2011

· Corrected Supreme Court Order Allowing in Part Emergency Motion for Stay Pending Appeal – January 25, 2011

· Supreme Court Order Allowing the Emergency Motion to Expedite Consideration of the Petition for Leave to Appeal and Allowing the Petition for Leave to Appeal – January 25, 2011

· Supreme Court Opinion – January 27, 2011

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In the News – Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Administrator

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission released its final report on January 27, 2011. The Commission was formed in May of 2009 as part of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act, Public Law 111-21.

The 10 Members of the Commission consist of six Democrats and four Republicans (*) as follows:

1. Phil Angelides, Chairman

2. Bill Thomas, Vice Chairman*

3. Brooksley Born, Commissioner

4. Byron S. Georgiou, Commissioner

5. Senator Bob Graham, Commissioner

6. Keith Hennessey, Commissioner*

7. Douglas Holtz-Eakin, Commissioner*

8. Heather H. Murren, CFA, Commissioner

9. John W. Thompson, Commissioner

10. Peter J. Wallison, Commissioner*

Disagreements have always been a part of U.S. politics but have escalated since the financial crisis of 2008. The atmosphere over the past two years has been if you put a Democrat and a Republican in the same room, they’re not going to agree on anything. The Final Report of the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission is no exception. The six Democrats voted to adopt the report, with the four Republicans dissenting. Three of the Republicans filed a 25-page dissent, while the fourth, Peter J. Wallison, wrote his own 99-page dissent from the majority. The final report and all dissents may be read and/or downloaded on the FCIC website. The full report with conclusions and dissents consists of 662 pages.

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In the News – State of the Union

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

The Federal government of the United States consists of three branches, the Executive, Judicial and the Legislative.

Article II, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution requires the President to provide Congress with information on the State of the Union [SOTU]. The information can be provided either in writing, or orally. Since 1934, with few exceptions, the SOTU address has been submitted orally to both houses of Congress on a yearly basis.

Section. 3.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

Inserted from <http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html>

President Obama delivered his State of the Union address on January 25, 2011. Prior to, and following, the SOTU address too much emphasis was placed, by the media, on which Supreme Court Justice did or did not attend this event. Remarks regarding these three justices that did not attend follows:

‘I don’t go because it has become so partisan,’ Justice Clarence Thomas told students in Florida last year just days after the State of the Union speech, which he did not attend.

Inserted from <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350280/State-Union-2011-Supreme-Court-boycott-Obamas-speech.html>

According to Fox News, an official at the University of Hawaii said the judge [Samuel Alito] will be with students all week and will not be returning to Washington for the address.

Inserted from <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350280/State-Union-2011-Supreme-Court-boycott-Obamas-speech.html>

Justice Antonin Scalia was even more outspoken.

‘It is a juvenile spectacle, and I resent being called upon to give it dignity,’ he told the Federalist Society in November. ‘It’s really not appropriate for the justices to be there,’ he added.

Inserted from <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1350280/State-Union-2011-Supreme-Court-boycott-Obamas-speech.html>

Should Supreme Court Justices even be invited to State of the Union addresses? The SC consists of eight Associate Justices and one Chief Justice for a total of nine. Six or 67%  attended, while 33% did not. When one-third of invited guests are ‘no shows’ to an event, perhaps it time to think about revising the guest list.

Should SOTU addresses be televised? Wouldn’t it make more sense for the President to meet with Members of Congress behind closed doors to deliver his SOTU concerns and at a later date relay that information to the public, in the form of a televised speech?

Members of Congress have an obligation to attend; it’s their job to find out the “State of the Union” and to work with the President to solve problems that affect the lives of “we the people”. If they don’t want to be there, they should go find employment elsewhere.

The fact is, the POTUS holds the highest office in the land and when he invites anyone to any function, they should be honored to attend, not look for any number of excuses why they can’t, or don’t want to attend. What is troubling about this obvious lack of respect is the effect it has on the youngsters in this country. If you have had the opportunity to take a tour of any of our high schools lately, you’ve seen firsthand how little respect today’s youth has for authority figures. It’s time for all of us to take a second look at how we act in front of America’s youth so they turn out to be better citizens.

Giving credit, where credit is due, it was most refreshing to see Members of Congress making an attempt to show bipartisan spirit by pairing up to attend the event. Perhaps they can even pair up in Congress long enough to get legislation passed.

Posted in Economy, Employment, Government, National Debt, News and politics, Only in America News, U.S. Courts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In the News – Federalist Papers

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Administrator

Supreme Court Justice Anthony Scalia was recently invited to speak before the Tea Party Caucus [January 24, 2011] by Representative Michele Bachmann (R-MN 6th). The meeting was closed to the media, but open to Members of Congress. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL 9th) was one of the attendees and made the following statements about the meeting:

“Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) said Scalia outlined his basic judicial philosophy, which she said he described as opposing the idea of a "living Constitution." He told lawmakers to try to amend the Constitution rather than enact laws that push for a new interpretation.” Source – LA Times Article "suggested that we all get a hard copy of the Federalist Papers and read them and underline them and dog-ear them." Source – Washington Post Article

Following is a link from The Library of Congress to the 85 Federalist Papers http://thomas.loc.gov/home/histdox/fedpapers.html

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Non-Disclosure – Inadvertent or Intentional to Hide Obvious Conflict of Interest?

Posted on January 25, 2011 by Administrator

Opinion by Patricia L Johnson

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is once again in the news, this time for failing to properly report the employment of his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas on his “Nomination Financial Disclosure Report”. Justice Thomas subsequently sent seven letters to the Committee on Financial Disclosure, dated January 21, 2011, requesting an amendment to Part III B of these reports to indicate the following employment data for his wife.

U.S. Department of Labor – January 1989 to January 1993

U.S. House, House Republican Conference (Rep. Dick Armey) – January 1993 to January 1995

U.S. House, House Majority Leader (Rep. Dick Armey) – January 1995 to January 1998

The Heritage Foundation – December 1998 to December 2003

The Heritage Foundation – 2004 – 2007 – no dates provided

The Heritage Foundation – January 2008 to October 2008

Hillsdale College – October 2008 to December 2008

Hillsdale College – 2009 – no dates provided

The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 requires all presidential nominees to indicate where their spouse works. Some news outlets are reporting this story as a failure of Justice Thomas to report his wife’s $700,000 income, but this particular form does not require data on earnings. The sole purpose of the disclosure is to ensure there is no ‘conflict of interest’.

Justice Thomas indicates in his seven letters to the Committee that the data was “inadvertently omitted due a misunderstanding of the filing instructions.” Was his omission simply an error, or intentional?

Justice Thomas, in his original filings and subsequent amendments, has forgotten to add one tiny little fact, the fact that his wife is Founder and CEO of Liberty Central. For those of you that are not familiar with Liberty Central you can learn all about them by reading one sentence quoting Ginni Thomas from their September 10, 2010 Press Release as follows:

“Liberty Central is proud to be a part of the March on DC events this week and it’s an honor to personally welcome all these patriots who are voicing their opposition to the Obama, Pelosi, and Reid agenda,” said Thomas”

Justice Thomas was one of the five justices voting to reverse prior limits applied to corporations and unions Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The Supreme Court decision now allows unlimited corporate and union support of candidates and causes.

According to a UPI article, Virginia Thomas started Liberty Central with a $550,000 investment from two undisclosed donors; this was after the Supreme Court decision had been made.

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from The White House

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Administrator

The State of the Union and You

Tomorrow at 9 p.m. EST, the President will deliver the State of the Union address. Find out how you can get involved in the State of the Union and ask your questions of President Obama and the White House.

Learn more.

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Congratulations to GREEN BAY PACKERS and PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Administrator

 

The winners of the AFL and NFL champions will meet in
Arlington Texas on Sunday, February 6, 2011 for Super Bowl XLV.

Tickets may be purchased at the NFL Ticket Exchange Click Here

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GOOD LUCK to ALL TEAMS on January 23, 2011

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Administrator

 

Football player

 

alt

Chicago Bears
Find Tickets »

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Green Bay Packers
Find Tickets »

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New York Jets
Find Tickets »

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Pittsburgh Steelers
Find Tickets »

http://www.ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com/nfl/?intcmp=tm104789&wt.mc_id=NFL_LEAGUE_SCHED_SB_728x90

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ANOUNCEMENT

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Administrator

On Tuesday, January 25, 2011, at 9:00 pm EST [8:00 pm CST] President Obama will deliver the State of the Union Address at the U.S. Capitol.  Immediately after the speech Senior White House Officials will be available to answer questions live from the White House.

Have a particular question you want answered?  Fill out the following form and submit online.

Go to the WhiteHouse Blog for instructions on submitting questions via Facebook and/or Twitter.

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Note to GOP – Creating Babies is NOT the Same as Creating Jobs

Posted on January 22, 2011 by Administrator

Republicans were put back in control of the House partially based upon their promises in their “Pledge to America”. You only have to read 271 words into the pledge to come to the following statement, which is the first time an actual issue is mentioned.

“Rising joblessness, crushing debt, and a polarizing political environment are fraying the bonds among our people and blurring our sense of national purpose.”

In actual fact, unemployment and U.S. debt were the two main issues facing voters in the November election. That being the case you would think our newly elected representatives would place major emphasis on creating jobs and reducing the debt.

Well, most people would think that, I’m sure.

Our Republican Representatives, however, seem to have their own agenda. H.R. 3, No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act, is a bill introduced by our newly elected Republican-Controlled-Congress on January 20, 2011.

The problem with this bill is (1) it has nothing to do with creating jobs, (2) it has nothing to do with reducing the national debt and (3) it goes above and beyond.

The bill has the usual ‘no federal funds shall be used for abortions’, blah, blah, blah. Apparently the Republicans can’t comprehend the fact that no federal funds are currently used for abortions, nor is there anything in Public Law 111-148 providing federal funds for abortions.

`No funds authorized or appropriated by Federal law, and none of the funds in any trust fund to which funds are authorized or appropriated by Federal law, shall be expended for any abortion.

Where this bill goes above and beyond is by changing Internal Revenue laws regarding credits for medical expenses.

`SEC. 303. PROHIBITION ON TAX BENEFITS RELATING TO ABORTION.

`For taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of this section—

`(1) no credit shall be allowed under the internal revenue laws with respect to amounts paid or incurred for an abortion or with respect to amounts paid or incurred for a health benefits plan (including premium assistance) that includes coverage of abortion,

`(2) for purposes of determining any deduction for expenses paid for medical care of the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse or dependents, amounts paid or incurred for an abortion or for a health benefits plan that includes coverage of abortion shall not be taken into account, and

`(3) in the case of any tax-preferred trust or account the purpose of which is to pay medical expenses of the account beneficiary, any amount paid or distributed from such an account for an abortion shall be included in the gross income of such beneficiary.

An individual, family and/or dependents, will not be able to take a deduction for the actual cost of the abortion, or the cost of health care benefits. In other words if this bill passes you will not be able to take any of the normal medical deductions allowed by the Internal Revenue Service, should you choose to have an abortion.

Roe v. Wade gave women the right to choose, who do these people think they are to take that choice away from women by putting additional financial burdens on them, in the event they choose to abort?

The third sentence in the Republican “Pledge to America” reads as follows:

”America is the belief that any man or woman can – given economic, political, and religious liberty – advance themselves, their families, and the common good.”

As we all know there are millions of workers in this country that have lost their jobs for one reason or another. Do Republicans really think loss of job also means loss of sex drive? No matter what kind of birth control someone is using, it is not going to work 100% of the time, therefore it would be real possible for a couple to get pregnant and not want to add the expense of another child to their unemployed household. If they don’t have a job, more than likely they are also having problems maintaining their healthcare.

Are our current members of the House so totally oblivious to what’s happening in this country that they cannot see how passing this bill would have a detrimental effect on the lives of U.S. citizens already burdened with rising costs?

They were put in the House to solve problems, not create more problems.

Posted in Employment, Government, Health, Uninsured, National Debt, News and politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Voting with Dollars instead of Ballots

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Administrator

An opinion by Patricia L Johnson 

Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is a 5-4 decision made by the United States Supreme Court on January 21, 2010. 

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (the lower court) ruled on this case [Case No. 07-2240] on July 18, 2008, as follows:

Holding: Political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, and the government may not keep corporations or unions from spending money to support or denounce individual candidates in elections. While corporations or unions may not give money directly to campaigns, they may seek to persuade the voting public through other means, including ads, especially where these ads were not broadcast.

This decision was subsequently reversed by the USSC.

When the action was brought before the lower court, Citizens United was a nonprofit corporation with an annual budget of approximately $12 million dollars, the majority coming from individual donations, with a small amount coming from for-profit corporations.

Citizens United released a film in January of 2008, called Hillary:  The Movie, a 90-minute documentary about Hillary Clinton, who was then a Senator, running for President in the 2008 election.

The movie was highly critical of, Senator Clinton, who was mentioned by name in the movie time and again through interviews with political commentators and other individuals.

The movie was subsequently released by Citizens United, but they also wanted to release it through video-on-demand to digital cable subscribers.  Video-on-demand allows the cable viewer to watch the program at any time.  Depending upon the show, some video-on-demand shows are free, while others require the viewer to pay a fee.

A cable company offered Citizens United $1.2 million to make the movie available on a video-on-demand channel, “Elections ‘08.”, which would be free to the cable viewers.

Citizens United, in an effort to promote the film, produced two 10-second ads and one 30-second ad for the movie, with each ad containing a short statement about candidate Clinton, as well as the name of the movie and the movie’s website address.   Citizens United intended to run these ads on both broadcast and cable television prior to the election.

When this case was brought before the USSC, federal law was as follows:

As amended by §203 of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002(BCRA), federal law prohibits corporations and unions from using their general treasury funds to make independent expenditures for speech that is an “electioneering communication” or for speech that expressly advocates the election or defeat of a candidate. 2 U. S. C. §441b. An electioneering communication is “any broadcast, cable, or satellite communication” that “refers to a clearly identified candidate for Federal office” and is made within 30 days of a primary election,§434(f)(3)(A), and that is “publicly distributed,” 11 CFR §100.29(a)(2),which in “the case of a candidate for nomination for President . . . means” that the communication “[c]an be received by 50,000 or more persons in a State where a primary election . . . is being held within 30 days,” §100.29(b)(3)(ii). Corporations and unions may establish apolitical action committee (PAC) for express advocacy or electioneering communications purposes. 2 U. S. C. §441b(b)(2). In McConnell v.Federal Election Comm’n, 540 U. S. 93, 203–209, this Court upheld limits on electioneering communications in a facial challenge, relying on the holding in Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, 494 U.S. 652, that political speech may be banned based on the speaker’s corporate identity.

A precedent is a previous decision made by the high court.  When there is a precedent in a case, the decision in that prior case becomes the law of the land. 

The problem with Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission is the Supreme Court now had two precedents’ to consider when deciding this case, pre-Austin and post-Austin.  Pre-Austin forbid speech restrictions, based  on corporate identity, while post-Austin permitted restrictions.  In other words, one precedent contradicted the other while, the First Amendment to the Constitution clearly states

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

In the end, the decision made by the Supreme Court was mixed.  Part of Austin was overruled and part was upheld resulting in a 183-page, 5-4 decision. 

It was decided, the film Hillary:  The Movie, would not be allowed to be shown on television within 30 days of the 2008 Democratic primaries [the film and ads could be aired on TV as long as they were not shown within the 30 day period], while overturning the restrictions placed on independent expenditures by corporations and unions.  Corporations and Unions could now place ads on TV.

KENNEDY, J., delivered the opinion of the Court, in which ROBERTS,
C. J., and SCALIA and ALITO, JJ., joined, in which THOMAS, J., joined as to all but Part IV, and in which STEVENS, GINSBURG, BREYER, and SO-TOMAYOR, JJ., joined as to Part IV. ROBERTS, C. J., filed a concurring opinion, in which ALITO, J., joined. SCALIA, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which ALITO, J., joined, and in which THOMAS, J., joined in part. STEVENS, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part,in which GINSBURG, BREYER, and SOTOMAYOR, JJ., joined. THOMAS, J., filed an opinion concurring in part and dissenting in part.

This decision by the Supreme Court has turned out to be one of the most controversial in the history of politics.  Proponents claim it’s “freedom of speech”; while opponents claim it allows special interests, including foreign corporations, to buy U.S. elections.

The results of this decision were seen in the 2010 interim election when you could not turn on your TV without seeing a political ad, financed in whole or part by special interests. 

Name recognition has always been a part of American politics.  The uninformed voter will vote for a particular person/party if he/she sees that name over and over again, and that’s exactly what has happened with these special interest ads.  They support the candidate they feel will do them the most good when they get in office and the average American voter sees that name over and over and over again.  By the time they get to their polling place, the voter has been brainwashed and automatically votes for the name they recognized.

What has not been taken into consideration by special interest groups is the fact that American voters are becoming more involved in politics and learning the ropes.  Special interests may be able to buy the next few elections because it’s not that easy for the average voter to separate fact from fiction,  but sooner or later “We the People” will prevail in our elections.

 

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What Is The Basis for Their Repeal?

Posted on January 20, 2011 by Administrator

An opinion by Patricia L Johnson

A total of 434 votes were cast, 245-189, in the U.S. House on January 19, 2011 on H.R. 2, “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act”; a one-page bill to repeal the provisions of both the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148 [March 23, 2010] and the Health Care and Education and Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152 [March 30, 2010]

242 Republicans voted yes, plus the following three Democrats:  Representatives Dan Boren, (D-OK 2nd) Mike McIntyre (D-NC 7th) and Mike Ross (D-AR 4th).

87 of the 96 Republican Freshmen, voted to repeal and all 126 Tea Party members (either endorsed by Tea Party Express or FreedomWorks) voted for repeal.1

But, we all know that old saying – ‘money talks’.  In this case $19.2 million dollars in campaign contributions was provided to Tea Party endorsed candidates by the Health-Care industry.  Compare that figure to the $25.7 million total provided to non-endorsed candidates. 1

Back in November of 2010 Representative Andy Harris (R-MD 1st) a physician, created front page news by demanding to know why his government subsidized Healthcare package wasn’t going into effect immediately [there is a 28-day waiting period].  His question was posed during a private orientation session for new House members, but created such a stir it made the news.

I find it absurd newbies can vote on a bill, symbolic as it may be, that has the potential to change the lives of everyday Americans when they’ve only been in office for a total of nine days.  It’s obvious that some of these representatives know little or nothing about the workings of Congress. 

The Kaiser Foundation prepared a summary of the provisions in Public Law 111-148, PPACA in a publication titled Focus on Health Reform.  This summary consists of 13 pages and is a must read for anyone that currently has an opinion on “Obamacare”. 

From day one, Republicans have been against the plan due to the individual mandate requirement for all individuals to purchase health coverage.  The point they have neglected to make is, in order to offset the cost of this coverage, individuals will be provided premium and cost-sharing subsidies, based on income.  Simply put, you’re not going to be forced into purchasing insurance coverage that you cannot afford.

They have also repeatedly advised senior citizens Medicare benefits will be cut with this plan.  That is simply not true, senior citizens will gain benefits.  Medicare spending will be cut, over a 10-year period, by lowering fees paid to hospitals, providers and lowering payments to “Medicare Advantage” insurance plans.

Last, but certainly not least, “death panels” will not make end-of life decisions for Medicare recipients.  Former Governor Sarah Palin was the first person to make this outrageous claim, which was based on an amendment that would have provided coverage for end-of-life planning discussions.  The amendment was subsequently dropped, due to the controversy, and seniors lost a proposed benefit, due to the fear instilled in them by a member of the Republican Party.

A Kaiser Family Foundation poll from September 2010 indicated three out of every ten seniors still believe there are “death panels”.

Senior citizens are easy targets for politicians wanting to get votes based on fear, and there is nothing more fearful to someone on Medicare than stating decisions about their healthcare are going to be taken out of their hands and made by “death panels”.  Seniors have enough to worry about without the Republicans scaring them on a regular basis with their twisted truths. 

Let us not forget how we got into the economic nightmare we’re currently trying to repair.  It started with the lie that Iraq had WMD’s and ended with major tax cuts for the wealthy, tax incentives for big business, and tax loopholes for the rich, all in the name of ‘creating jobs’.

2010 was the first year out of the last four where jobs have actually been created at the average rate of 94,000 per month, for a total of 1.1 million jobs.  A far cry from what we need, but an incredible accomplishment based on the number of jobs that were lost in this country during the last three years of the Bush administration.

Washington Post 1

Posted in Economy, Government, Health and wellness, Medicare, News and politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A $145 Billion Increase to Deficit?

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Administrator

An opinion by Patricia L Johnson

Determining whether or not a particular bill will be beneficial to this country generally begins with a request to the Congressional Budget Office [CBO] to determine costs involved and budget impact.

In March of 2010 two laws were enacted by the Obama administration pertaining to health care in the U.S., the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148 and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, Public Law 111-152.

The Republican controlled House of Representatives wants to repeal health care and to that end requested the CBO to review H.R. 2, the Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act, introduced into Congress on January 5, 2011 [the day the Republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives. A vote on this bill will take place on January 19, 2011.

The January 6, 2011 response to Speaker of the House John Boehner (R-OH), from CBO Director, Douglas W. Elmendorf, consists of a full 10 pages, but there is only one section we all should read, on page 4, as follows:

Impact on the Federal Budget in the First Decade

As a result of changes in direct spending and revenues, CBO expects that enacting H.R. 2 would probably increase federal budget deficits over the 2012-2019 period by a total of roughly $145 billion, plus or minus the effects of technical and economic changes that CBO and JCT will include in the forthcoming estimate. That figure consists of the following two components:

· About $130 billion, representing the net reduction in deficits over the  2012-2019 period expected to result from the health care provision of the enacted legislation (as estimated by CBO and JCT last March) 3plus

· About $15 billion, representing the reduction brought about by the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 in the estimated cost of subsidies to be provided through the insurance exchanges through 2019.

In other words, hypothetically speaking*, if the Republicans could repeal “Obamacare”, they would increase the U.S. deficit by $145 billion dollars.

*If the repeal bill passed the U.S. House, more than likely there would not be enough votes to pass the Senate, and in the unlikely event it did pass the Senate, the bill would be vetoed by President Obama.

That being the case, why are the Republicans wasting time and money on this bill? All the time the CBO spent determining the outcome of repeal is just a waste of time and money. Why are they even bringing up a vote on a repeal that would cost an additional $145 billion?

The Republicans spent months talking about how they’re going to cut expenses and cut the deficit once they have control, but so far all they’ve done is talk.

Posted in Economy, Government, Health, Uninsured, National Debt, News and politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

RECALL – USDA

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Administrator

Recall Notification Report

Tue,18 Jan 2011 18:42:41 -0600

United Food Group, LLC, a Vernon, Calif., establishment, is recalling approximately 7,875 pounds of ready-to-eat Angus Beef patties that may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes (Lm).

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GOP Definition of “Cut Spending”

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Administrator

An opinion by Patricia L Johnson

The GOP’s Opening Argument: Cut Spending, Cut Spending, Cut Spending is an article written on January 3, 2011, by Derek Thompson and published in the Business section of The Atlantic.

Thompson confirms what we already knew, that the Republicans were planning on charging into Washington on white horses with the sole purpose of reducing the deficit by cutting spending, thereby saving the country from economic disaster at the hands of the Democrats.

The original intent of House Republicans was to rescind funds that were already appropriated in the stimulus and other legislation by late January 2011, but that’s been put on hold and probably will not be voted on until February or March.  See House GOP schedule slips on spending cuts by Erik Wasson, published in Finance and Economy section of The Hill on January 17, 2011.

The minor problem with putting this primary objective on hold, is the remaining $12 billion in the stimulus plan could very well be spent by that time.  Oh well, it’s the thought that counts isn’t it?

Could it be the real problem with cutting the stimulus bill is the Republicans have finally recognized the stimulus package enacted by the Democrats is actually working?

So much for the GOP House saving money, what is the GOP Senate doing to cut spending?

Seven GOP Senators just returned from a trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan.    Four of these Senators are freshman, meaning this is their first year in the U.S. Senate.  Not a bad deal at all for the newbies – they were sworn in on January 5, 2011 and within a two week period they’re off to see the world at U.S. taxpayers’ expense.

Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) organized this trip and the first question to Senator McConnell should be why weren’t any Democrats included in this, so called, “fact finding” mission?

Joining Senator McConnell were Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and the four freshman – Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), Senator Ron Johnson* (R-WI) and Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)  *U.S. Senate does not have a biography for Senator Johnson at time of writing.

Why do you suppose Senator McConnell chose these particular Senators for this fact finding trip?  Could it be due to the fact all four of the newbies are Tea Party stars and the Republicans need to win them over?  Alexander Bolton seems to think so based on his January 17, 2011 article published in The Hill Sen. McConnell lures stars from Tea Party during Afghanistan

Whatever reason the four new kids on the block were invited to this Republican excursion, one fact remains.  American taxpayers paid for the trip.

Why is it necessary for the Republicans to spend taxpayer money on a ‘fact finding’ trip , with all the electronic means available to them, when they are supposedly out to cut spending?

Posted in Economy, Government, National Debt, News and politics, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Administrator

 
A clergyman, activist and leader in the African American civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. is best known for his “I Have a Dream” speech of August 28, 1963.  Click here to read the text of King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech from American Rhetoric (Adobe Acrobat required) 

king2 

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., speaking at the March on Washington, Aug. 28, 1963. Credit: National Archives

 
Martin Luther King Jr. Day was established as a federal holiday in 1986 and is celebrated on the 3rd Monday in January.  King was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004.

Did you also know that in 1964, at age 35,  Martin Luther King Jr. became the youngest man to win the Nobel Peace Prize?

Learn more about this exceptional leader by reading the following biography written by The Nobel Foundation in 1964. 
 
Biography Martin Luther King, Jr., (January 15, 1929-April 4, 1968) was born Michael Luther King, Jr., but later had his name changed to Martin. His grandfather began the family’s long tenure as pastors of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, serving from 1914 to 1931; his father has served from then until the present, and from 1960 until his death Martin Luther acted as co-pastor. Martin Luther attended segregated public schools in Georgia, graduating from high school at the age of fifteen; he received the B. A. degree in 1948 from Morehouse College, a distinguished Negro institution of Atlanta from which both his father and grandfather had graduated. After three years of theological study at Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania where he was elected president of a predominantly white senior class, he was awarded the B.D. in 1951. With a fellowship won at Crozer, he enrolled in graduate studies at Boston University, completing his residence for the doctorate in 1953 and receiving the degree in 1955. In Boston he met and married Coretta Scott, a young woman of uncommon intellectual and artistic attainments. Two sons and two daughters were born into the family… Click here to read full biography

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Payroll Employment Up by 1.1 Million in 2010

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Administrator

Source:  Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employees on nonfarm payrolls, total nonfarm industries, annual net change, 2000–10, seasonally adjusted

Year
Net change in employment

2000

1,953,000

2001

-1,762,000

2002

-540,000

2003

87,000

2004

2,047,000

2005

2,496,000

2006

2,060,000

2007

1,078,000

2008

-3,623,000

2009

-4,740,000

2010

1,124,000 (p)

Footnotes:
(p) = preliminary

These data featured in the TED article,

Payroll employment up 1.1 million in 2010.

 

Click on the above link for more information on this subject from the BLS.

By Patricia L Johnson

The United States actually began losing jobs in 2006, when the net change in employment dropped 400,000 from 2.5 million in 2005 to 2.1 million in 2006.  By 2007 jobs created had dropped to  1.1 million.  The very last year President George W. Bush was in office the U.S. lost 3.6 million jobs and policies in place , by Bush, created the basis for the 4.7 million jobs lost during President Obama’s first year in office.

We’re back!  After losing jobs for four consecutive years, the policies put in place during the first year of President Obama’s presidency stopped the hemorrhage  and we actually created 1.1 million jobs in 2010. 

That averages out to 94,000 jobs created each month which is a far cry from what we need to put millions of U.S. citizens back to work, but is definitely a giant step in the right direction.

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Congratulations to RNC Chairman Reince Priebus

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Administrator

Dropping out after the 4th ballot, former RNC Chairman Michael Steele was replaced by Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus on January 14, 2011.

Priebus received 97 votes in the 7th round, 13 more than the required 85 votes needed to win, with former Michigan GOP Chairman, Saul Anuzis finishing second with 43 votes and former RNC official Maria Cino coming in third with 28 votes.

Steele and Speaker of the House John Boehner, both backed Cino, but their support was not sufficient to overcome the Prebius lead.  By the 6th round of voting Priebus already had 80 votes and needed just 5 more to win.

Posted in News and politics | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Economic Releases January 14, 2011

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Administrator

 

Release Date:  January 14, 2011

ADVANCE MONTHLY SALES FOR RETAIL AND FOOD SERVICES (MARTS)

DECEMBER 2010

Retail sales in December 2010 rose 0.6 percent from the prior month and 7.9 percent from the prior year, to $380.9 billion.  For 2010 overall, retail sales grew 6.6 percent after falling 6.5 percent in 2009.  Excluding automobiles, retail sales in December 2010 rose 0.5 percent from November and increased 6.7 percent from December 2009.  For 2010 overall, retail sales excluding automobiles grew 5.9 percent after falling 5.2 percent in 2009.

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Release Date:  January 14, 2011

MANUFACTURING AND TRADE INVENTORIES AND SALES (BUSINESS INVENTORIES)

OCTOBER 2010

New orders for manufactured goods rose 0.7 percent in November 2010, to $423.8 billion.  Shipments increased 0.8 percent, to $424.5 billion.  Unfilled orders rose 0.6 percent, to $826.9 billion.  And inventories increased 0.8 percent, to $543.8 billion.

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Release Date:  January 14, 2011

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX – DECEMBER 2010 (CPI)

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.5 percent in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.5 percent before seasonal adjustment.

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Release Date:  January 14, 2011

REAL EARNINGS – DECEMBER 2010

All employees

Real average hourly earnings for all employees fell 0.4 percent from November to December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. A 0.1 percent increase in average hourly earnings was more than offset by a 0.5 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).

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Release Date:  January 14, 2011

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN CONSUMER SENTIMENT INDEX PRELIMINARY READING FOR JANUARY 2011

University of Michigan consumer sentiment index’s preliminary reading for January fell to 72.7, down from 74.5 at the end of December and last month’s preliminary 74.2.

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DeLay convicted on money laundering and conspiracy charges

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Administrator

By Bridget Johnson – 11/24/10 07:14 PM ET

Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) was found guilty Wednesday on money laundering and conspiracy charges.

DeLay was indicted in 2005 on charges of conspiracy to violate election laws by illegally funneling $190,000 in corporate money to candidates in 2002. He subsequently stepped down as majority leader.

DeLay, who blasted the indictments as “political retribution,” now faces up to life in prison on the conviction. Sentencing is set for Dec. 20.

Click here to read the full story http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/130705-delay-convicted-on-money-laundering-and-conspiracy-charges

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When Politics Overrides Prudence It’s Time to Go

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Administrator

An opinion by Patricia L Johnson

They’re not in the majority yet, but already the word ‘impeachment’ comes to mind. House Republicans are making decisions that will affect the safety and long term security of the United States and should resign.

The original START [Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty] between the United States and USSR [Union of Socialist Republics] was signed on July 31, 1991 by U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev. START I, as it’s been renamed, called for reductions in nuclear arsenals of both countries. This treaty became effective December 5, 1994 and expired on December 5, 2009. Click the following link for summary of START I http://www.dod.mil/acq/acic/treaties/start1/execsum.htm

The new treaty, START II was signed by President Barrack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on April 8, 2010, but will not go into effect until the treaty is ratified by both countries. START II must be ratified by Congress and Sen. Jon Kyl (R-AZ) stated, November 16, 2010, he would block a vote during the lame duck session of Congress.

What that means is the treaty cannot be ratified until after the 112th session of Congress begins on Wednesday, January 5, 2011 [S.J.RES.40] and will require a total of 67 votes to pass.

The list of those “in the know” that want the treaty passed is extensive. These people realize the consequences to both the U.S. and the rest of the world of playing political games with nuclear weapons. Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, called the treaty “essential to our future security”.

The Republicans have two goals for the 112th Congress – tax cuts for the rich and ensuring President Obama does not serve a second term as President of the United States. When the security of the United States becomes secondary, it’s time for them to go. When they’re too ‘busy’ to meet with the President of the United States, it’s time for them to go.  When they think banning $16.5 billion in earmarks is more important than ratifying a nuclear treaty, it’s time for them to go.  And the list goes on and on.

Members of the U.S. Congress are put in office to pass legislation – not to see how many ways they can come up with to put our country on hold. If our legislators do not want to do what they’re paid to do, then they need to resign.

© 2010 Patricia L Johnson

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What would Warren Buffett say to the National Commission?

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

President Obama’s Executive Order of February 18, 2010 established the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform whose mission includes:

“identifying policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run. Specifically, the Commission shall propose recommendations designed to balance the budget, excluding interest payments on the debt, by 2015. This result is projected to stabilize the debt-to-GDP ratio at an acceptable level once the economy recovers. The magnitude and timing of the policy measures necessary to achieve this goal are subject to considerable uncertainty and will depend on the evolution of the economy. In addition, the Commission shall propose recommendations that meaningfully improve the long-run fiscal outlook, including changes to address the growth of entitlement spending and the gap between the projected revenues and expenditures of the Federal Government.”

The Commission is required to prepare a final report by December 1, 2010 containing recommendations approved by no less than 14 of the 18 members.  The Co-Chairs, Sen. Alan Simpson, Former Republican Senator from Wyoming and Erskine Bowles, Chief of Staff to President Clinton, released their draft on November 10, 2010, which included a significant number of proposals. 

Submit Ideas

The Commission welcomes your input as we seek out creative solutions to our nation’s mid- and long-term fiscal challenges. Anyone can submit comments, ideas, and suggestions at anytime via email by contacting commission@fc.eop.gov. All comments received, including attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the public record. Due to the volume of comments we receive, we are not able to respond to each submission.

Email comments tocommission@fc.eop.gov.

The Commission draft released on November 10, 2010 contained many proposals dealing with tax cuts.  The problems with tax cuts, is they put us further in debt.

The period when President Reagan was in office is considered, by many, to have been great years for our economy.  The Economic Recovery Act of 1981, or the Reagan reign of tax-cuts for the rich, which reduced the high tax from 70 percent to 50 percent actually had an estimated revenue loss of $39.5 billion, which dramatically increased the national debt.   Source:  CBO “Effects of the 1981 Tax Act on the Distribution of Income and Taxes Paid”,

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Historically, the United States has paid for wars by raising taxes.  History shows we’ve managed to get out of the hole even after the huge amounts spent by the government during World War II.  This country didn’t start to really hit the skids until we failed to pay for the war in Vietnam.  Tax-cuts for the rich, enacted during the Bush Administration, and our two wars account for the majority of our current debt and deficit.  We went from having a budget surplus as far as the eye could see, under President Clinton, to not being able to see the light under Republican leadership.

Returns are still coming in, but so far the National Commission headed by Simpson and Bowles is getting almost a 100% thumbs-down for its suggestions.  When you’re lost in the woods, the best way out is usually the same way you got in.  In this case, the bread crumbs clearly mark the trail–War and Tax-cuts for the Rich.

It wasn’t Social Security or Medicare that got us into the fix we’re in.  It wasn’t  “entitlements” unless you mean that the rich think they’re “entitled” to huge tax-cuts. 

As Warren Buffett says, and he should know, there is class warfare going on, and the rich are winning. 

© Patricia L Johnson and Richard E Walrath

Note:  Warren Buffett, Chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway will appear Thanksgiving in an exclusive interview on “This Week” with Christiane Amanpour on ABC.

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November 22, 1963

Posted on November 22, 2010 by Administrator

 

November 22: General Interest
1963 : John F. Kennedy assassinated

John Fitzgerald Kennedy, the 35th president of the United States, is assassinated while traveling through Dallas, Texas, in an open-top convertible.

First lady Jacqueline Kennedy rarely accompanied her husband on political outings, but she was beside him, along with Texas Governor John Connally and his wife, for a 10-mile motorcade through the streets of downtown Dallas on November 22. Sitting in a Lincoln convertible, the Kennedys and Connallys waved at the large and enthusiastic crowds gathered along the parade route. As their vehicle passed the Texas School Book Depository Building at 12:30 p.m., Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly fired three shots from the sixth floor, fatally wounding President Kennedy and seriously injuring Governor Connally. Kennedy was pronounced dead 30 minutes later at Dallas’ Parkland Hospital. He was 46.

Vice President Lyndon Johnson, who was three cars behind President Kennedy in the motorcade, was sworn in as the 36th president of the United States at 2:39 p.m. He took the presidential oath of office aboard Air Force One as it sat on the runway at Dallas Love Field airport. The swearing in was witnessed by some 30 people, including Jacqueline Kennedy, who was still wearing clothes stained with her husband’s blood. Seven minutes later, the presidential jet took off for Washington.

The next day, November 23, President Johnson issued his first proclamation, declaring November 25 to be a day of national mourning for the slain president. On that Monday, hundreds of thousands of people lined the streets of Washington to watch a horse-drawn caisson bear Kennedy’s body from the Capitol Rotunda to St. Matthew’s Catholic Cathedral for a requiem Mass. The solemn procession then continued on to Arlington National Cemetery, where leaders of 99 nations gathered for the state funeral. Kennedy was buried with full military honors on a slope below Arlington House, where an eternal flame was lit by his widow to forever mark the grave.

Lee Harvey Oswald, born in New Orleans in 1939, joined the U.S. Marines in 1956. He was discharged in 1959 and nine days later left for the Soviet Union, where he tried unsuccessfully to become a citizen. He worked in Minsk and married a Soviet woman and in 1962 was allowed to return to the United States with his wife and infant daughter. In early 1963, he bought a .38 revolver and rifle with a telescopic sight by mail order, and on April 10 in Dallas he allegedly shot at and missed former U.S. Army general Edwin Walker, a figure known for his extreme right-wing views. Later that month, Oswald went to New Orleans and founded a branch of the Fair Play for Cuba Committee, a pro-Castro organization. In September 1963, he went to Mexico City, where investigators allege that he attempted to secure a visa to travel to Cuba or return to the USSR. In October, he returned to Dallas and took a job at the Texas School Book Depository Building.

Less than an hour after Kennedy was shot, Oswald killed a policeman who questioned him on the street near his rooming house in Dallas. Thirty minutes later, Oswald was arrested in a movie theater by police responding to reports of a suspect. He was formally arraigned on November 23 for the murders of President Kennedy and Officer J.D. Tippit.

On November 24, Oswald was brought to the basement of the Dallas police headquarters on his way to a more secure county jail. A crowd of police and press with live television cameras rolling gathered to witness his departure. As Oswald came into the room, Jack Ruby emerged from the crowd and fatally wounded him with a single shot from a concealed .38 revolver. Ruby, who was immediately detained, claimed that rage at Kennedy’s murder was the motive for his action. Some called him a hero, but he was nonetheless charged with first-degree murder.

Jack Ruby, originally known as Jacob Rubenstein, operated strip joints and dance halls in Dallas and had minor connections to organized crime. He features prominently in Kennedy-assassination theories, and many believe he killed Oswald to keep him from revealing a larger conspiracy. In his trial, Ruby denied the allegation and pleaded innocent on the grounds that his great grief over Kennedy’s murder had caused him to suffer psychomotor epilepsy and shoot Oswald unconsciously. The jury found Ruby guilty of murder with malice and sentenced him to die.

In October 1966, the Texas Court of Appeals reversed the decision on the grounds of improper admission of testimony and the fact that Ruby could not have received a fair trial in Dallas at the time. In January 1967, while awaiting a new trial, to be held in Wichita Falls, Ruby died of lung cancer in a Dallas hospital.

The official Warren Commission report of 1964 concluded that neither Oswald nor Ruby were part of a larger conspiracy, either domestic or international, to assassinate President Kennedy. Despite its seemingly firm conclusions, the report failed to silence conspiracy theories surrounding the event, and in 1978 the House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded in a preliminary report that Kennedy was probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy that may have involved multiple shooters and organized crime. The committee’s findings, as with those of the Warren Commission, continue to be widely disputed.

John F. Kennedy assassinated. (2010). The History Channel website. Retrieved 8:39, November 22, 2010, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/john-f-kennedy-assassinated

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What is the Alternative to Body Searches?

Posted on November 21, 2010 by Administrator

An opinion by Patricia L Johnson

Bomb

How do you balance the safety and security of the citizens of the United States against privacy issues?

You don’t!

No matter how intrusive, uncomfortable or embarrassing airport pat-downs and full body scanners are, they sure as hell beat the alternative of being blown to smithereens.

The people in this country should be thrilled that our government is using every means possible to keep us safe.  What would have happened on 9/11 if the same safety and security measures that are in place now, would have been in place then?  It’s very possible the plane tragedies at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Somerset County, PA would not have happened.

The reality is the United States had enemies before 9/11/2001.  Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the attack on our country and after spending nearly ten years attacking the people of Afghanistan and then Iraq – making hundreds of thousands of new enemies; I can assure you our popularity has not increased.  

We have held suspected ‘terrorists’ in our prisons for years, subjecting them to illegal tortures that are too disgusting to even write about.  We’ve kept them away from their families and friends for all these years and in some cases have not even allowed Red Cross and/or Red Crescent visits.  We’ve held these people for nearly a decade on ‘suspicions’ that have yet to be proven in a court of law, in the name of our safety.  What about their privacy and safety?

Most of the prisoners we are detaining are Muslims who follow the Islam religion that prohibits nudity.  I’m sure many of you remember the nude photos from Abu Ghraib prison, where these prisoners were subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse.  The humiliation these people went through at our hands will stay with them for the rest of their lives because these men were not only subjected to nudity, but also the horrors of rape, sodomy and torture.

And we’re whining about airport pat-downs and full body scanners?  Grow up America!

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What Was the Intent of Our Founding Fathers on Taxes for the Rich?

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Administrator

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By Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

The very first year the U.S. began taxing there were 7 tax rates beginning with the minimum tax rate of 1% and a maximum tax rate of 7%. It appears our founding fathers expected the rich to pay seven times more than the poor in taxes. By 1916 – only three years after the beginning of taxation, the rates were changed so there were 14 tax rates.  The minimum tax became 2%, while the maximum tax was increased to 15% or 7.5 times the minimum.

If those percentages were extrapolated across time, what do you think the multiplier would be in 2010?

The highest rate after 1913 occurred in 1918. Then the rates moved downward until 1925 when it reached 25% and stayed there until the market crashed in 1919. Since 1944, the trend has been downward for a period of 66 years.

Taxes were high during World War II and stayed that way until the Kennedy tax-cut which came just as the war in Vietnam was getting under way when taxes should have been raised to pay for the war. As huge as the deficit and national debt had become relative to GDP, both shrank very quickly after the war ended.

In 1964, the tax rate was reduced to 70% from 91%.  This was the famous Kennedy tax-cut proposed by President Kennedy who was assassinated in 1963.  Republicans have been talking about this tax-cut ever since. They liked it so well that they’ve cut it from 70% down to 35%!

What happened after 1964 was the war in Vietnam when the tax-cut was taking effect resulting in loss of revenue at the same time government spending dramatically increased because of the war.

Reagan’s Reign of tax-cuts for the Rich began.  If 7 to 1 was the intent of our founding fathers, we were doing just fine with President Eisenhower when the top rate was 90+%.  We need to follow in the footsteps of our founding fathers who wrote the constitution–7 to 1. 

Reagan’s Reign of Tax-cuts for the Rich was interrupted, briefly, during Clinton’s two terms of office.  Clinton raised them, but Bush more than made up for that.

By 2010 the minimum rate was reduced (through the 2001 and 2003 Tax Cuts put into place by the Bush administration) to 10%, while the maximum tax rate was reduced to 35%, in other words taxes were reduced from 7.5 times the minimum in 1916 to 3.5 times the minimum under the Bush administration. These are the tax-cuts set to expire on December 31, 2010.

The biggest tax-cuts and the fewest jobs created occurred during the years 2001-2008, followed by the worse recession since the great depression.

The chairmen of the deficit commission, the committee, and the media don’t want their taxes raised. That is what this whole thing about the deficit comes down to–the Republicans, the media; and the deficit commission don’t want their taxes raised.  They’ll do all they can to see that that doesn’t happen. So, they come out with all this garbage to make people think the deficit is the people’s fault.

Contrary to what most people think, the country has done better when tax-rates are high on the highest incomes, not when they are low. Low tax-rates for the rich are worse than kids’ playing with matches in the kitchen–lots of trouble is what you can expect and get.

The rich have had the use of hundreds and hundreds of billions of dollars free of charge for many years.  It’s time for them to pay it back – pay it all back.

© 2010 Richard E Walrath and Patricia L Johnson

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A Day to Remember

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Administrator

Today marks the anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

The date was November 19, 1863.  The scene was the dedication of a military cemetery at Gettysburg, PA.  The battle of Gettysburg had been fought four months earlier and more than 45,000 men were killed, injured, captured or missing.  David Wills, on instructions from Andrew Curtin, the Governor of Pennsylvania, purchased17 acres of land for the purpose of turning the land into a cemetery for the 7,500 killed at Gettysburg.

Wills invited Edward Everett to speak at the dedication and for more than two hours Mr. Everett addressed the crowd.  Just two weeks before the dedication Wills also invited President Lincoln to appear with “a few appropriate remarks”.

President Lincoln’s very short address was initially met with mixed reviews (along partisan lines).  Over time it has become one of the most famous speeches made by any President.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation, so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Source:  History.com

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U.S. House Says NO to Extended Unemployment Compensation

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Administrator

No money1

The final vote on the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Continuation Act took place at 2:01 pm on November 18, 2010.  The following members, almost all Republicans, voted “Nay” which made it impossible for the bill to pass:

Aderholt Akin Alexander Austria Bachmann Bachus Bartlett Barton (TX) Berry Biggert Bilirakis Bishop (UT) Blackburn Blunt Boehner Bonner Bono Mack Boustany Boyd Brady (TX) Bright Broun (GA) Buchanan Burgess Burton (IN) Buyer Calvert Camp Campbell Cantor Cao Capito Carter Cassidy Chaffetz Coffman (CO) Cole Conaway Cooper Crenshaw Culberson Davis (TN) Djou Dreier Emerson Flake Fleming Forbes Fortenberry Foxx Franks (AZ) Frelinghuysen Garrett (NJ) Gingrey (GA) Gohmert Goodlatte Granger Graves (GA) Graves (MO) Griffith Guthrie Hall (TX) Harper Hastings (WA) Hensarling Herger Hill Hoekstra Hunter Inglis Issa Jenkins Johnson, Sam Jordan (OH) King (IA) King (NY) Kingston Kline (MN ) Lamborn Lance Latham Latta Lee (NY ) Lewis (CA) Lucas Luet kemeyer Lummis Lungren, Daniel E. Mack Marchant McCarthy (CA) McCaul McClintock McHenry McKeon McMorris Rodgers Mica Miller (FL) Miller (MI) Miller, Gary Minnick Myrick Neugebauer Nunes Nye Olson Paul Paulsen Pence Peterson Petri Pitts Poe (TX) Price (GA) Putnam Rehberg Roe (TN) Rogers (AL) Rogers (KY ) Rogers (MI) Rohrabacher Rooney Roskam Royce Ryan (WI) Scalise Schmidt Schock Sensenbrenner Sessions Shadegg Shimkus Shuler Shuster Simpson Smith (NE) Smith (TX) Stearns Stutzman Sullivan Taylor Thompson (PA) Thornberry Tiahrt Tiberi Upton Walden Wamp Whitfield Wilson (SC) Wittman Wolf Young (AK) Young (FL)

In addition to those listed above  that voted “Nay” there were 22 Representative that didn’t vote, as follows:

Barrett (SC) Boozman Brown (SC) Brown, Corrine Brown-Waite, Ginny Coble Davis (KY) Delahunt Duncan Fallin Gallegly Kennedy Kirk Linder Lynch McMahon Moran (KS) Moran (VA) Radanovich Space Terry Westmoreland

Extended unemployment benefits for those out of work expire December 1, 2010.  Extended benefits would add $12.5 billion to the deficit, which is a drop in the bucket when compared to the $700 billion the Republicans want to add in extending the Bush tax-cuts.

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Do You Know Enough to Have an Opinion?

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Administrator

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Under President George W. Bush Individual and Corporate taxes were lowered.  What that means is there is less revenue coming into the U.S. Treasury, which in turn increases the U.S. deficit.

The tax cuts put into place during the Bush administration are due to expire on December 31, 2010 and revert back to the tax rates in effect under President William J. Clinton.  If you’ll recall correctly that is when the U.S. had budget surpluses as far as the eye could see.

Republicans are adamant about extending the Bush tax cuts and they’ll give you any number of reasons why the cuts should be extended – it’s not good for the economy to raise taxes now, it will put small business owners out of business, and it will put all the rest of us in the poor house by raising taxes.

What they, and the media, is failing to tell you is an extension will do more than simply keep the tax rates at their current levels.

It will also keep capital gains tax rates at 5% and 15% (depending on AGI), instead of reverting back to 10% and 20%.

It will also tax dividends at ordinary income tax rates, instead of at 5% and 15%, which is the current rate.

It will also completely reinstate the estate tax at a high rate of 60 percent, with a $1 million dollar exemption.  The estate tax was completely eliminated in 2010 by the Bush tax cuts.

Who do you think is going to benefit from the above?  It isn’t going to benefit the average working person, it’s going to benefit the people that have the type of income that you’d like to have.

The media isn’t telling you about these other changes because members of the media earn the kind of money you’d like to earn, and seem more than willing to sacrifice honest reporting for paying fewer taxes on tax day

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Yeah or Nay on Earmarks?

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Administrator

By Administrator

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) stated on November 15, 2010:

“…today I am announcing that I will join the Republican Leadership in the House in support of a moratorium on earmarks in the 112th Congress…”

Seems this senator can’t quite make up his mind.  A week ago [November 7, 2010] Senator McConnell appeared on Face the Nation and Bob Schieffer asked him specifically whether he would be for or against a moratorium on earmarks and McConnell’s response was that earmarks don’t save any money.

What are earmarks?  The Office of Management and Budget defines earmarks as

“funds provided by the Congress for projects, programs, or grants where the purported congressional direction (whether in statutory text, report language, or other communication) circumvents otherwise applicable merit-based or competitive allocation processes, or specifies the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the executive branch to manage its statutory and constitutional responsibilities pertaining to the funds allocation process.”

Earmarks represent approximately 1% of the U.S. Budget and eliminating all earmarks simply is not going to save the amount of money this government needs to be saving.  For example, according to the Office of Management and Budget, 2008 appropriated earmarks were $16.6 billion, in 2009 the number decreased to $15.3 billion, which is a far cry from the $700 billion it will cost to extend the Jobs & Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, put in place by the Bush administration.  These tax cuts have been in place since 2003 and are scheduled to expire at midnight on December 31, 2010.

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Do You Really Want to Know About Tax Cuts?

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Administrator
An opinion by Patricia L Johnson
New legislation will be required in order to extend the tax cuts put into place by President G.W. Bush in 2001 [PL 107-16], otherwise they will expire at midnight on December 31, 2010.
Recently Mitch McConnell, the highest ranking Republican Senator spoke out on the subject and gave the impression it is apparently the view of the Republican Party that there is no evidence tax cuts reduce U.S. revenues.
Senator Mitch McConnell – Republican, KY
“There’s no evidence whatsoever that the Bush tax cuts actually diminished revenue. They increased revenue, because of the vibrancy of these tax cuts in the economy. So I think what Senator Kyl was expressing was the view of virtually every Republican on that subject.”
With all due respect to Senator McConnell, I have to disagree. The only way to determine whether or not tax cuts diminish revenues is to know what the revenues would have been without the tax cuts. Since PL 107-16 is major legislation covering numerous areas of taxes, it would be virtually impossible to state what the revenues would have been without the tax cuts.
What we do know, for a fact, is Individual Income Taxes, as a percentage of GDP, peaked in 2001 at 9.7% and declined to 6.9% of GDP in 2004.
PL 107-16 added a new bracket to the tax code, and changed both the tax rate schedule, and the taxable income amount over a period of years. We began FY2001 with a low tax rate of 15% for earnings up to $43,850.00 and a high tax rate of 39.6% for anyone earning over $288,350.00, per the following:
Tax rates for Married filing Jointly before PL 107-16
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By FY2008 the 15% tax rate applied to earnings up to $65,100.00, the high rate was decreased by 4.6% to 35.0%, while also increasing maximum earnings by $69,550.00 to $357,700.00. In other words, revenues were hit with a double whammy on Individual Taxes just on the tax rates. [Tax rates listed are for married persons filing a joint return]
Tax rates for Married filing Jointly in 2008
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PL 107-16 was promoted as a tax cut bill for all Americans, but very often it will be referred to as tax cuts for the rich. The reason for the label is due to the extraordinary changes included in this legislation.
The list of changes is simply too long to include, but you can review PL 107-16 at the following link http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-utl/egtrra_law.pdf
Several of the tax changes that you don’t hear much about are the Unified Credit (Applicable Exclusion Amount) , Gift Tax, Estate Tax, General Skipping Transfer Tax and Income Tax on an Estate.   http://www.irs.gov/publications/p950/ar02.html#en_US_publink100099475
Following is a description, from the IRS, of just one of the above – the Unified Credit:
“Unified Credit (Applicable Exclusion Amount)
A credit is an amount that reduces or eliminates tax. A unified credit applies to both the gift tax and the estate tax. You must subtract the unified credit from any gift tax that you owe. Any unified credit you use against your gift tax in 1 year reduces the amount of credit that you can use against your gift tax in a later year. The total amount used during life against your gift tax reduces the credit available to use against your estate tax.
The unified credit against taxable gifts remains at $345,800 (exempting $1 million from tax) through 2009, while the unified credit against estate tax increases during the same period”.
While the unified credit for gift tax stays at $345,000.00, with a million dollar exclusion, from 2002 through 2009, for estate tax purposes it increases from $345,000.00 in 2002 to $1,455,000.00 in 2009. During the same period the estate tax exclusion increases from $1,000,000.00 in 2002 to $3,500,000.00 in 2009 and is eliminated completely in 2010.
In addition tax rates for estate tax were decreased from 50% in 2002 to 45% in 2009. Since the estate tax is eliminated in 2010 the tax rate drops to zero, while the gift tax rate drops 15% from 50% in 2002, to the top income tax rate in 2010, currently 35%.
What does all that mean?
It means the U.S. Treasury will lose billions of dollars in revenues. The rate decreases for estate and gift taxes were gradual over a number of years so it took several years for the estate exclusion to double from 2002 to 2008; therefore the decreases in estate and gift tax revenues could easily be attributed to any number of reasons. In 2009 however, the exclusion amount tripled and the result is a dramatic decrease in the amount of revenues received in this tax category.
In 2008 revenues from Estate and Gift Taxes were $28.8 billion and decreased 18.4% in 2009 to $23.5 billion. Can this country really afford reduced revenues – absolutely not!
The reason you don’t hear much about these goodies is because they don’t apply to you, “the small people”, the average Jane/Joe, however they do apply to those that want the tax laws extended.
While you are doing everything humanely possible to keep food on the table for your family, many of the legislators are laughing all the way to the bank.
It’s not easy to comprehend the magnitude of the estate tax change unless you think about death – something most of us don’t care to think about. But, here’s the bottom line, if former President George H.W. Bush had passed away in 2009 his beneficiaries would be paying a ton of money in estate taxes. Since 2010 is here and he’s still alive (thank goodness), when he does pass away his beneficiaries will not have to pay anything in estate tax, zip, zero, nada. While that’s bound to make all the Bush’s happy, it doesn’t do much for the U.S. Treasury, or you the average taxpayer.
On the other hand, since Senator Ted Kennedy passed away prior to 2010 his beneficiaries had to pay an incredible amount in estate taxes.
Not all the rich are enjoying their tax windfall. Warren Buffett, who was worth an estimated $52 billion at the time, spoke at a New York fundraiser in 2007 and said he was taxed at a rate of 17.7% on the $46 million he earned last year, while his secretary was taxed at 30% on the $60,000.00 she earned http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/money/tax/article1996735.ece
Mr. Buffett wasn’t attempting to pay less than his fair share of taxes; the problem is our tax system is geared towards providing those with high incomes lower taxes through very generous deductions and exemptions.
For those of you who do not understand the difference between Gross Income and AGI [Adjusted Gross Income] AGI is a person’s gross income, less deductions. Let’s go back to the top Federal Individual Tax rate of 35% that applies to a person earning more than $357,700.00,
When we start out with $357,700.00 as our gross income, we can take all our allowed deductions and exemptions against that amount. If we have $100,000.00 in deductions, then our Adjusted Gross Income becomes $257,700.00 and our tax rate becomes 28% rather than 35%. The more deductions we have, the lower our tax rate becomes.
The fact this law was touted as a tax cut for the poor and middle class is truly a slap in the face to all poor and middle class Americans. While crumbs were tossed to the poor and middle class, major tax exemptions were awarded to the wealthiest people in this country.
What percentage of taxes did you pay last year? Was your rate higher than the 17.7% Warren Buffett paid on his $46 million in earnings?
The word ‘repeal’ has been used often in past months when referring to various programs put in place by the Democrats. Repeal is a word that should very definitely be considered when reviewing the extraordinary deductions and exemptions provided to the wealthy in PL 107-16.
Patricia L Johnson is a former special assignment writer/photographer.
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Deficit Chart

Posted on July 20, 2010 by Administrator
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(Click Chart to enlarge)
The above chart represents deficit increases by year, based on legislative changes that applied to that particular year.  During the period of FY 2001 through FY 2009, legislative changes increased the U.S. Deficit by 5.4 trillion dollars.
Chart by Patricia L Johnson
Data Source:  CRS
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Mountain

Posted on July 4, 2010 by Administrator

 

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“…The Worst [Jobs]Track Record on Record”

Posted on January 31, 2010 by Administrator

By Patricia L Johnson

President Obama has been inundated with criticism over jobs, or lack thereof, for the past several months by the Republican party.  Today is no exception.  The ink is barely dry on the report issued by the Whitehouse on the number of recovery funded jobs for the period of October 1 – December 31, 2009 and already the Republicans are questioning anything and everything about the report.  You would think they would be pleased that 599,108 jobs were reported as created/saved during this period of time, yet they don’t seem to be interested in good news, only news that sheds an unfavorable light on President Obama and the Democratic party.

Where were all these people during the 8 years President George W. Bush was in office?

The Wall Street Journal Staff prepared an article and chart back in January of 2009 comparing the number of jobs created while various presidents were in office.  The name of the article is “Bush On Jobs: The Worst Track Record On Record” and goes on to quote Sudeep Reddy as stating the the record of President George W. Bush had “the worst track record for job creation since the government began keeping records.”  

The  WSJ chart (see article)  indicates 3.0 million jobs were created under George W. Bush, 23.1 million jobs created under Bill Clinton and 2.5 million jobs created under George H.W. Bush.

During the past 20 years the Republicans have held the Whitehouse for 12 years, while the Democrats were in office for 8 years.  If you combine the 2.5 million jobs created under George H.W. Bush, with the 3.0 million jobs created under George W. Bush you get a total of 5.5 million jobs during 12 years – a far cry from the 23.1 million jobs created during the Democratic presidency. 

The number of jobs created during the past two Republican presidencies can only be described as pitiful.  The last thing in the world the Republicans should draw attention to is JOBS, based on their history.

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