BIG SISTER GOVERNMENT

This editorial, published in the Orange County Register Nov. 30th, describes our self-initiated and growing financial dependence on government.  To read it, see "PAGES" on the right margin of the screen, and click on "BIG SISTER GOVERNMENT", or go to the OC Register web site.

BUYER BEWARE

In a free society, in any society, there are plenty of unscrupulous businesses out there. However, to protect us from yet more government control (and less individual freedom) we need to take personal responsibility for our choices. Fortunately, there are many private organizations that exist so that we can make good choices without government interference. At this time of the year many people donate to charities and are not informed about the distribution of their money-how much goes to the organization and to the administrative costs. There are more than 2 million charities asking for a donation this year due to the economy. Carefully check them out before sending a donation. Two good Web sites are: CharityNavigator.org and GuldeStar.org. Online networks: NetworldforGood.org and JustGive.org offer local, national & international charities.

TAXES AND JOBS--A DISTRESSING TRADE-OFF

Please read the following and tell me what you think.
According to the Heritage Foundation, the consequences of ending the Bush tax cuts will include of the following over the next ten years:

New taxes raised:  $277.81 billion
Jobs lost:  6,930,000
Income lost due to job losses:  6,930,000 x $47,000 (ave. wage per US job) = $327.69 billion

THUS:  EACH DOLLAR IN NEW TAXES IS PROJECTED TO RESULT IN $1.18 IN LOST INCOME DUE TO THE RESULTANT LOSSES IN JOBS!

For a discussion of why taxes cause such a heavy loss of jobs, see "PAGES" on the right side of this page and click on "WHY TAXES COST JOBS"

The above numbers were taken from a highly credible report prepared by The Heritage Foundation--"Obama Tax Hikes: The Economic and Fiscal Effects" September 20, 2010. This report is available on their web site: heritage.org

This is such an important issue that I will continue to research it and provide updates as I uncover new evidence, pro or con. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT--ALL IN FAVOR SAY "I"

Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.

This is an idea that we should address.

For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform that passed... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.If each person that receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.

Proposed 28th Amendment to the   United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States ." 

REAL HUMOR FROM A TRUE MASTER

Click on this:

http://www.casttv.com/video/72dkchn/bill-cosby-understanding-sou

DOES $1 OF TAXES TAKE $1 AWAY FROM A PRIVATE SECTOR JOB?

PART ONE--
This is an incredibly complex issue to answer. Let me start with some basics:
Indeed, a larger US government sector will result in a smaller number of employed persons. Many very sophisticated, highly regarded economic studies have concluded this to be the case.

One simple case study is a comparison of the US and Europe (the European Union=EU):
In 2004 (a representative year), US government spending amounted to 36 percent of the total economy compared to 48 percent of the EU's economy. The unemployment rate in the US was 5.5 percent compared to a rate of 8.5 percent for the EU. A US umemployment rate of 8.5 percent would have meant that there would have been about 5 million fewer employed persons in the US that year.

In addition, from 1995 to 2005, the US economy expanded at an average rate of 3.2 percent, compared to a rate of 2.1 percent for the EU. Without exception, economic growth generates proportional job growth. Thus, a large government sector means declining job opportunities over time.

More to come...

JOBS VS. "SAFETY NET"

Regarding my editorial "WE CANNOT HAVE IT ALL" the question has been raised: Does $1 allocated to an entitlement program result in $1 of lost wages in the private sector? In other words, is the ratio 1:1?
That is a very good and important question which I will endeavor to answer within a day or so.

JOBS VERSUS GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE

Editorial published in the Orange County Register Nov. 16th. You can read the editorial by looking under "PAGES" on the right margin of this page and clicking on "WE CANNOT HAVE IT ALL"

HOW CAN WE GET OUT OF THIS MESS?

For starters, click here: http://www.heritage.org/Research/Projects/Solutions-for-America?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell

ARE YOU AN "ORIGINALIST"?

An originalist is one who believes that the U.S. Constitution should be interpreted according to the indent of those who composed and adopted it.
Want to know more? Go to the "ORIGINALISM" page provided on the right margin of this page.
Or click here:  http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2009/09/The-Originalist-Perspective

THE MORNING BELL NEWSLETTER

If you don't already, I highly recommend that you subscribe to the free e-newsletter published by The Heritage Foundation. It's called THE MORNING BELL. To subscribe, click this link: mailto:morningbell@heritage.org?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell and give them your e-mail address. Or go to The Heritage Foundation site and click on "Newsletters" at the bottom of the main page.  http://www.heritage.org/

OBAMACARE--THE STARK REALITY

Please check out this video about government's control of Dr.s and their treatment under Obamacare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8HnkxIh62dQ

WILL LIBERALS "GET IT"?

With the success of the Republican party in the mid-term elections, I am noticing articles questioning whether or not Obama and the Democrats will "get it". The answer is no, they will never get it because they are working, and will always be, to achieve policies that are fully opposed to conservative values. Democrats will "get it" only as far as they are forced to get it.

From others comes the question of whether or not our legislators will now stop bickering and begin to work together. The answer is that THEY SHOULDN'T. There is no middle ground between true conservatives and the Democratic agenda. The end result of compromising with Democrats is a continuation, albiet at a slower rate, of the relentless parade of freedom-squelching legislation. Now that the Republicans have greater power, they ought to turn up the heat and attempt to block virtually all legislation proposed by Democrats in Washington.