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DEBT CRISIS: THE GOVERNMENT SCREWED THE POOCH ...

As we inched towards Sunday, the rhetoric surrounding the plans to solve the faux debt ceiling crisis was reaching a crescendo.

President Obama – who submitted no plan of his own – had taken to the national airwaves, not to discuss a matter of national policy, but to dishonestly engage in campaigning against the Republicans who he claimed were being stubborn and reactionary.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid openly condemned the Republican plan passed by the House of Representatives and emphaticatly declared it dead on arrival. Pursuing his own party’s agenda to gut the proffered legislation, substitute their own and send it back to the House with a so-called “compromise” solution.

For real Americans, wondering what the hell is going on, it appears that the boys and girls of Congress – at the urging of the President of the United States – are trying to find a way to keep shoveling the taxpayer’s money into programs that have not paid off. Even a casual observer would eventually notice that the four TRILLION dollars pumped into the economy did little or nothing – produced a flat GDP (gross domestic product) and an abysmal employment situation. In fact, the program did little more than re-capitalize important bank which were already technically insolvent or rapidly approaching their breaking points; as well as funding bloated goverment functions associated with union activity.

All because both parties did not know how to solve the real underlying fiscal crisis.

How many people noticed that Wells Fargo made an offer to purchase Wachovia the day after a new tax law took effect – one which would allow Wells Fargo to shelter billions in revenue from the taxman by using Wachovia’s write-downs against Wells Fargo’s income?

These are the political idiots who are passing loophole legislation while simultaneously demanding more tax money – citing the necessity for shared sacrifice. All the while insuring the major taxable revenue is dissipated by accounting trickery of funds and jobs sent abroad – leaving the burden to fall on the middle class who has always paid the price for political malfeasance. Especially when the idiot-in-chief defines the new tax threshold to be $250,000 – engaging in class warfare by demonizing the rich and the real producers in our nation. 

How many people noticed that ordinary people were losing money in investments because the banks were being recapitalized with government money at a cost of zero to one-quarter of one percent – immeasurably worse than the one-percent rates offered by former Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan who sought to recapitalize the very same financial institutions after the dot com bubble burst? All the while financial institutions were paying abysmal rates on deposits and investments while charging outrageous fees and interest on their credit card operations.

And now, we are faced with an artificial crisis brought upon by the democrats who failed to produce a budget and act responsibly – preferring to concentrate on the Obamanation that is Obamacare while paying little or no attention to our economy. Allowing the EPA and other regulatory agencies to pass administrative rules which burden the small businesses who are the drivers of employment. It’s almost as if they were deliberately trying to destroy capitalism so that they could install central-planning and socialism as the cure.

Remember well what these politicians are doing and saying when it comes to 2012. And, if you want to preserve America, the American culture and pass down our way of life to the next generation – you may want to consider the politicians and criminals who have brought us to this point. And throw the bastards out of office – on both sides of the aisle.

At the risk of being accused of racism, I say we send our no-experience affirmative action President and his progressive fellow travelers back to the rocks from whence they came.

-- steve

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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NO, NO -- YES, YES: THE TRUTH ABOUT THE RATINGS DOWNGRADE?

There is no doubt in my mind that the major financial institutions are driving political policy as we approach the 2012 presidential election cycle.

So, with all the screaming about the potential of a ratings downgrade if Congress does not raise the debt limit  and the president fails to sign the legislation into law … the truth of the situation appears to be far different from the media’s spin.

Now that the Boehner bill has passed in the House and Senator Harry Reid has said it would be tabled, what can we make of this kerfuffle?

1.  It is likely that the Boehner bill will be gutted and some portion of the Reid plan will be placed in its legislative language. The bill would then be “reconciled” in the back room and sent on to President Obama. Whether or not Obama will sign the bill is anyone’s guess.

2.  This crisis was man-made by the Congressional democrats who failed to produce an acceptable budget and continue to demand higher taxes and continued spending based on the grossly-inflated budgets that include previous spending hikes.

3.  A ratings downgrade simply means that the interest rate paid on United States debt would increase.

Those purchasing debt securities would receive a higher return on their investment – which is a desirable outcome from their standpoint.

The taxpayers would be stuck with paying more for borrowed money, bad for the taxpayers – a desirable outcome for the socialists who want to redistribute the nation’s wealth.

The Wall Street Wizards would have an expanded market with investors churning old investments into new higher-rate investments. Since they generate a commission on all buy-or-sell trades, their business would improve.

Those holding maturing securities and bonds in their portfolio would be able to invest in higher rates – the major institutional investors will be happy.

The Federal Reserve would raise the Federal Funds target rate and investors will be happy – although this action could lead to stagflation; a very, very bad outcome for the nation’s economy.

Who to believe ?

At this point, all we can do is wait and watch as the major political and financial players jockey for advantage. And hope that the American citizen/taxpayer does not get crushed in the process.

Personally I put the blame on Obama and the Congressional Democrats – reserving some portion for the moderate “go along to get along” RINOs who are willing to sell out their constituency for their own self-interests.

BUT WE WILL REMEMBER WHAT IS DONE COME 2012 AND SEEK REDRESS – THROWING THE BUMS OUT AND REALLY CHANGING THE SYSTEM.*

-- steve

* My best friend Al does not believe this is a likely outcome.

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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How do the democrats claim to have any moral or fiscal authority to discuss Social Security?

With all of the damage the democrats have done to our nation, one wonders how they can continue to fool their constituents into believing they are the party that represents the poor and disadvantaged.

One need only look at the nation’s inner cities to see that billions of dollars have been diverted by corrupt politicians to their special interest friends else there would be fewer housing, employment and social issues in these areas.

One need only to listen or watch as the current democrat administration abandons one minority class (Blacks) only to exploit another (Hispanic) for their self-serving advantage.

And on the subject of our social security, it might be helpful to know that it was the democrats that:

It was liberal democrat Lyndon Johnson and a democrat House and Senate who moved social security funds from their so-called designated “lockbox” or “trust” status and made them available to the general fund where they could be spent promoting the ideology of liberalism.

It was the democrats who demolished the income tax deduction for Social Security (FICA) withholdings.

It was democrat Al Gore’s tie-breaking vote that allowed the government to tax Social Security annuities.

And it was democrat Jimmy Carter and his fellow travelers who extended Social Security to immigrants who never paid into the system as citizens.

So how can the democrat party continue to demonize the republican party on fiscal issues … especially social security?

With no moral underpinning or core values, the democrats remain unembarrassed and unlikely to take action when they discover criminal activity and breaches of moral turpitude among their brethren.  In thee days of moral equivalency, political correctness and non-judgementalism, the democrats have little or no shame – and certainly no reservations about restricting our freedoms and raising our taxes.

One need only look at the corrupt and significantly delayed prosecutions of wayward democrats in the House ethics committee to understand that they are unlikely to do anything decent for their country. How else can you explain their actions in dealing with a racist attempting to use the governments power to help her husband’s financial affairs and a tax cheats slap-on-the-hand censure?

Bottom line …

As with all politicians who will say or do anything to gain or maintain power, the democrats cannot be trusted with governing our nation. They must be removed, along with their progressive RINO (Republican In Name Only) counterparts and replaced with constitutional conservatives.

This is no longer a fight for your political party, it is a struggle for the safety, security and continued freedom of America.

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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WELCOME TO DETROIT: A CITY RUN BY SOCIALIST DEMOCRATS ...

A glimpse into the future of America …

Detroit: a once prosperous city, world-renown as the capital of the nation’s motor culture. A city ruled by democrats who unconditionally supported the unions -- who almost single-handedly destroyed the nation’s automotive industry and turned much of Detroit into a decaying cesspool of crime, corruption, drug-dealing and violence. Where well-paid jobs were driven overseas by outrageous union demands and production costs that simply rendered an entire industry unable to compete effectively.

Detroit was known as "Motor City," the city that hosted the largest company in the world, General Motors. A company which was not only plagued by unionized labor, but was also plagued by an ossified and bloated management that had no stomach for fighting the unions. A respected company that has now turned from an automobile producer to a union pension fund with an automobile company subsidiary. A shadow of its former size, looted by the government on behalf of their union friends, its very survival an open question. Many of its workers left languishing in poverty and despair. And those with the means and mobility to escape – long gone, ceding the city to the democrats and their cronies.

A proclamation from the City …

PRESS ADVISORY: Council Budget to Reduce Services 

“One week ago, the Detroit City Council voted 8-1 to move forward with a budget that reduces city services by $50 million beyond Mayor Dave Bing’s recommendation. City departments, which have the responsibility of managing their budgets, have analyzed the cuts and the staffing and service reductions that will result. Attached, please find a detailed summary of three high-priority areas that will be affected by the $50 million cut.”

“Mayor Bing issues the following statement:
‘These cuts won’t solve our fiscal crisis. My administration reduced spending by $200 million in this budget and we did so responsibly, without hurting public safety or eliminating transportation services and park maintenance. We have to tell people the truth about the service reductions that we’re facing if we don’t reach a compromise.’”

It is true, these cuts will not solve the fiscal crisis. Like the problems facing the nation, only systemic reform and the elimination of corrupt politicians will solve the problem.

The claim that “We have to tell people the truth about the service reductions” is a half-truth at best. Whose truth? The real truth? The political truth? The truth that makes politicians look like they are doing something for the people they are screwing?

The absolute truth is that political corruption and ineptitude has caused this fiscal crisis; and that no amount of spin can change that fact.

As for compromises – it appears that Mayor Bing is taking a page from President Obama’s playbook. Using the term “compromise” to euphemistically refer to the need to raise taxes to support the bloated industry known as “big government.” 

We don’t feel your pain; we cause your pain …

Most politicians are isolated by their position, power, prestige and personal profits from the day-to-day consequences of their actions. Slavishly supporting the special interests who fund their campaigns and which provide voter turnout drives during election cycles. Often overlooking their primary duty to provide a safe and secure environment and to maintain the infrastructure which supports the common needs of the entire citizenry.

And whenever faced with a budgetary crisis – mostly a revenue shortfall due to profligate and unnecessary spending – they attempt to coerce the tax-paying citizens to ante up even more money to fund their ideological and personal follies with threats of critical service interruptions. Primarily  ignoring their duty to prioritize and make critical funds available to safety, security and infrastructure maintenance needs and threatening to cut essential services before they even attempt to kill non-essential or union-supported programs -- and those with a political component.

Here is Detroit’s threat list …

Proposed Police Cuts: $8,300,000

  • Reduces number of officers on the street
  • Prevents the hiring of 40 new, academy ready police cadets
  • Eliminates the Police Community Services Unit
  • Removal of all Community Relations Officers from precincts to compensate for loss of on-the-street personnel
  • Jeopardizes Federal Consent Compliance
    Threatens precinct format

Proposed Fire Cuts: $4,100,000           

  • Reduction in Fire personnel
  • Potential Closure of Fire Stations
  • Reduced vehicle availability for Emergency and Fire Response
  • Diminishes fire safety efforts

Proposed  Transportation Cuts: $8,183,370

  • Shuts down the People Mover
  • Eliminates Sunday and Holiday Bus Service
  • Eliminates 24hr service on major routes (2 a.m. – 5 a.m.)
  • Threatens the viability of the Woodward Light Rail Project
  • Must return more than $100 million in federal grants

Proposed Recreation/GSD Cuts: $7,500,000

  • Closes Butzel Family Center and one additional Recreation Center
  • Closes City of Detroit Marinas, Brennan Pool at Rouge Park, Gatliff Pool at Palmer Park and Belle Isle beach
  • Hart Plaza will be closed to sponsored events, beginning July 1, 2011
  • Restrooms on Belle Isle and at all city parks will be closed
  • Unable to cut and maintain the grass at city parks and vacant lots
  • Eliminates summer day camps for youth 3 –12
  • Required to return $6.4 Million to the Department of Natural Resources that was used for facility improvements
  • Jeopardizes Community Cultural Arts Grant Funded Programs
  • Limited Recreational Programming for seniors and youth throughout the year

Detroit’s crime problem, especially in its decaying inner cities, is legendary and not likely to be resolved by cutting back on police, fire and medical personnel.

One would think that a solution to significantly reducing immediate expenditures would be an emergency declaration that all union contracts are now null and void since it is a proven fact that unionization drives up costs, reduces efficiencies, results in more workers being hired, delaying outcomes – and worst of all, rewarding mediocrity at the expense of the type of outstanding performance necessary to provide real, lasting and cost-effective solutions to today’s problems.

One would think that one would suspend, disband and eliminate most politically-connected boards, commissions and panels who do little more than issue politically-motivated propaganda and softball solutions to hard issues.

One would think that the cars of city officials, housing subsidies and other perks not commonly found in the private sector would be eliminated. Along with the elimination of a multitude of consultants – especially those associated with managing the media.

One would think that the city would bring legal action to recover the costs of those who have failed to deliver on city contracts or those who have filed fraudulent claims against the city.

Where did the money go?

Under the control of democrats, one must ask themselves where did the money go? To a dysfunctional education system that is little more than a union full employment scheme rather than a system to educate our children? To bloated union-dominated construction and service contracts which fail to achieve their initial goals? To the special interests who live high on the hog while neighborhoods are ghettoized.

And who is responsible for this public outrage?

The politicians of course. Corrupt, greedy, pandering politicians who start on their reelection campaign fundraising the day after they assume office. Here is a look at the current Detroit City Council who screams for social justice, equality and diversity.

These are Detroit’s top elected officials, the people who were chosen by the citizens to represent the citizens.

THE MAYOR

Capture7-27-2011-2.24.11 PM

“In two weeks, the health of Detroit neighborhoods will determine what services they get, according to a plan unveiled today by Mayor Dave Bing.”

“The extraordinary effort to parse services geographically — from where codes are enforced, houses demolished, codes enforced, trees trimmed and street lights repaired, for instance — is a result of 14 months of study toward reshaping an aging city that is marked by wide pockets of despair. Bing says all neighborhoods will still get basic services, such as police and fire, EMS and garbage pickup.”

“Bing's citywide plan calls for dividing Detroit into three categories based on a neighborhood's health — steady, transitional and distressed — and then concentrating certain services in those areas. For example, building demolitions would be more common in ‘distressed’ and ‘transitional’ areas, while the ‘steady’ neighborhoods would get more code enforcement and illegal dumping cleanups.”  <Source>

Capture7-27-2011-1.12.30 PM

Look how the story is being reported …

As reported by Associated Press …

“Detroit to set services by neighborhood condition”

“Detroit neighborhoods with more people and a better chance of survival will receive different levels of city services than more blighted areas under a plan unveiled Wednesday that some residents fear may pit them against each other for scarce resources.”

This is the very essence of the democrat’s socialist ideology. Bring about the collapse of the current government by overspending and then when the system collapses, pursue the socialist ideology as if the capitalist, free-market system has failed. Creating additional power by creating scarcity – and then managing that scarcity for personal, political and ideological advantage. Rewarding our friends (As Obama has told the unions on a number of occasions) and punishing our enemies.

“Mayor Dave Bing released details from his Detroit Works Project, calling the changes a ‘short-term intervention’ necessary because the city, with limited financial resources, a $155 million budget deficit and a dwindling population, was spread dangerously thin.”

In politics, radical change  like temporary taxes, the new often becomes the old and accepted. And yes, there is a dwindling population – created by the government’s continued ineptitude and interference in the free-market to support their self-serving and political needs.

"’Our focus is going to be on the people in the neighborhoods,’ Bing said. ‘We can effect real change and improve neighborhoods.’"

With this statement, someone should kick the mayor and his fellow politicians in the ass. If they failed to “effect real change and improve neighborhoods” when finances were better – how the hell are they going to do it with severely limited resources and a population that is fleeing the decay, rot and stench of their current environment?

“Bing's plan isn't about shrinking Detroit —the boundaries of the 139-square-mile city aren't receding. The plan also backs away from forcing the redistribution of what's left of the population into areas where people still live and where the houses aren't on the verge of caving in. Many residents had strongly opposed that idea.”

Do you even recognize the “apocalyptic horror” contemplated by that statement? Forced redistribution? Houses aren’t on the verge of caving in?

Where the hell are the code enforcement people charged with buildings and safety? Out taking bribes or looking the other way for those who are politically well-connected? Shirking their responsibilities by sleeping on the job? Or simply incompetent people hired not for what they knew but who they knew?

This is the essence of political persuasion and forced coercion …

"’We will not force anybody to move,’ Bing said. ‘We want people to move into the areas that are going to grow; where we have the amenities, the density.’"

Like socialist Governor Jerry Brown of California attempting to force people out of their cars, restrict their mobility and create high-density communal-style housing by instituting diamond lanes for carpooling; and now turning those carpool lanes into revenue-generating toll-lanes.

Daniel Ellsberg, a nuclear policy expert and famous leaker, once said: “If you can express the thought in a non-threatening manner, the probability of it coming true in the future is greatly enhanced.”

And here we have the Mayor saying “We will not force anybody to move” but “We want people to move …” And no doubt they anticipate offering incentive bonuses – or coercing the private sector to support the plan at the risk of further problems with City Hall – to encourage this behavior.

“He stressed that police, fire and emergency medical service will be at the same levels in all neighborhoods.”

This is a lie – it is a physical impossibility to keep the same level of service in all neighborhoods when personnel are being cut and facilities being closed or undermanned to close a budgetary gap. At the best, the truth is that reduced services will be kept at the same level.

A different kind of Bailout …

“Detroit's population of about 713,000 is down about 200,000 from 10 years ago, according to U.S. Census figures, and has fallen more than 1 million since 1950. Some areas have fewer occupied homes than vacant ones.”

Smart people, mobile people, people with resources – and those not plundering the system are moving away from the corruption, crime, rot and decay.

Which reminds me of  a famous quote:

“Dante passes through the gate of Hell, which bears an inscription, the ninth (and final) line of which is the famous phrase ‘Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate’, or ‘Abandon all hope, ye who enter here’ <Source>

Bottom line …

We need to rid our government of the corrupt politicians at the local, state and federal level. Starting in 2012 to fire everyone who is not a constitutional conservative and committed to reducing the waste, fraud and corruption in government.

And if the current crop of professional politicians claim that is what they stand for – ask for proof and point to the past decades when both parties did relatively little as they feathered their own nests.

-- steve

Capture2-20-2009-8.30.27 PM

Reference Links …

DETROIT CITY COUNCIL'S BUDGET TO REDUCE SERVICES

Detroit to set services by neighborhood condition - CNBC

Wayne County | Bing: Neighborhood health to determine city services | The Detroit News

“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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POLITICAL CORRUPTION AND THE DEATH OF AMERICA

I have listened to President Obama’s address to the nation. I have heard House Majority Leader Boehner’s response. I have heard what Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have said.

AND THEY ARE ALL LYING, CHEATING CORRUPT SCUMBAGS …

That is they represent the “elite” ruling class -- caring more about themselves, gaining and maintaining political power, prestige and personal profits – and supporting their special interest friends to insure the continuing flow of campaign funds, perks, privileges and post-office employment for themselves, their family and special friends then they do about America or her citizens.

THESE PEOPLE DO NOT CARE ABOUT AMERICA. THEY CARE ABOUT PRESERVING THE POLITICAL DUNG HEAP THAT IS WASHINGTON.

  • Pandering to the special interests for money.
  • Pandering to the entitlement culture and minorities for votes.
  • Pandering to the unions for campaign workers who are not afraid of getting their hands dirty. 

The biggest lie of all: there is a budgetary crisis and it can only be solved by raising the debt ceiling …

First, the budget crisis was precipitated by the democrats who have done virtually nothing about the deficit or the debt for months. Obama has shown no leadership and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid do not seem to understand the word budget.

Second, the republicans are equally as bad because they were not loudly complaining about the very same issue while they were collecting 45% of the pork.

Third, Obama and the Congress have already pumped trillions into budgets since he took office – and it is THIS baseline that they are using to decide on a “baseline” for budget negotiations.

And fourth, those who claim that the United States will not pay their just debts, support Medicare, Medicaid, the Military and other critical services  are outright liars. The United States has income – it just needs to be prioritized to critical needs. Funding for the Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Education could be severely reduced with almost no notice – except by those plundering the system. HUD, doling out government largess to key political districts could be cut back without a ripple – again, with little or no notice – except by those plundering the system.

The second biggest lie, of course, is that the politicians are trying to solve this catastrophic problem …

What problem – the one of their own making? The one where they kicked the can down the road time-after-time while the spending became even more outrageous.

Are we really to believe that the ratings agencies, Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s even knows what they are doing. They corrupted and bungled the ratings of derivatives so badly that the contagion of junk securities was allowed to infect all of the nation – actually all of the world. Instead of letting them dictate the credit practices of the United States, why not investigate, prosecute and jail all of those people involved in producing ratings which materially damaged the United States economy.

Are we going to continually be whipsawed between faux crises by the politicians and an equally corrupt mainstream media – only to provide cover for promoting their toxic ideology and looting the taxpayer’s treasury.

Bottom line …

The politicians in both parties, with few exceptions, are self-serving and corrupt.

The books are cooked and there is little or no time to actually put together an outline of  a comprehensive spending plan, translate it into legislative language, have it “scored” by the Congressional Budget Office and offer it up for a vote. So what these corrupt politicians will do is provide a broad proposal – and then complete the dirty deed behind closed doors where these cockroaches normally live. With the real legislation being 2000+ pages, written by lawyers in unintelligible language and then dropped on legislators to read and understand in a short timeframe. All guaranteed to make sure that no one really reads the bill until it is passed into law.

Nancy Pelosi:  "We Have to Pass the Bill So That You Can Find Out What Is In It"

In her own words …

We need to take back our government and throw the dishonest bums out of office; reminding them they are temporary employees working on behalf of “we the people.”

We need to use citizen-imposed term limits by not voting for the incumbent.

We have to be smart enough to make sure those receiving entitlements do not continue to support the party which promises them the most.

We have to elect public officials who respect the Constitution, not attempt to twist it to support their toxic socialist ideology and permit foreign-born people to serve as the President of the United States.

Want to see some particularly egregious examples?

Republican Orrin Hatch tries to allow foreign-born citizens to serve as the President of the United States …

On July 10, 2003, Orrin Hatch (R-UT), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, proposed legislation known as the “Equal Opportunity to Govern Amendment.”

The text of the amendment reads as follows:

“Section 1. A person who is a citizen of the United States, who has been for 20 years a citizen of the United States, and who is otherwise eligible to the Office of President, is not ineligible to that Office by reason of not being a native born citizen of the United States.”

“Section 2. This article shall not take effect unless it has been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States not later than 7 years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.” <Source>

  • June 11, 2003, Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., brought HJR 59. It was intended to “permit persons who are not natural born citizens of the United States, but who have been citizens of the United States for at least 35 years, to be eligible to hold the offices of president and vice president.”
  • Sept. 3, 2003, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., brought HJR67, which would have done the same as Snyder’s, only the requirement to be a citizen was lowered to 20 years.
  • Feb. 25, 2004, Sen. Don Nickles, R-Okla., brought S.B. 2128 to “try to counter the growing Democrat onslaught aimed at removing the natural born citizen requirement.” But it defined NBC as someone who was born in and is subject to the United States,” which was not the understanding of the framers of the Constitution.
  • Sept. 15, 2004, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., brought HJR 104, “to make eligible for the office of president a person who is not a natural born citizen of the United States but has been a United States citizen for at least 20 years.
  • Jan. 4, 2005, Conyers, D-Mich., HJR2, the same as Rohrabacher’s.
  • Feb. 1, 2005, HJR15, Rohrabacher, to require only 20 years citizenship to be eligible for the office of president.
  • April 14, 2005, Snyder, HJR42, requiring 35 years’ citizenship.
  • Feb. 28, 2008, Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., tried to attach to SB 2678, Children of Military Families Natural Born Citizen Act, an amendment clarifying what “natural-born citizen” includes. Obama and then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., were sponsors. <Source>

    • And you wonder why both parties are afraid to check Obama’s credentials …

    The democrats certified, under penalty of perjury, that Obama met the eligibility requirements for the Presidency in each of the 50 states in order to have his name placed on the ballot.

    Even if his birth certificate is legitimate, that does not explain alleged other alleged  issues involving his social security number, how he traveled abroad on his or his parent’s passport; how he qualified for a scholarship for foreign-born students while at Occidental College.

    We need to stop this corruption NOW! We need to vote them all out of office – no more treating political parties like sports teams and our elected officials as special people above the law.

    Until 2012 … tell your family, friends, colleagues – what is happening in the United States and why we are sliding downhill into European-style socialism while politicians and their special-interest friends plunder our nation’s treasury.

    And then in 2012 get out the vote, offer to take people to the polls.

    There is no going back this time. Not if you want to live in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave

    -- steve

    “Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
    "Acta non verba" -- actions not words

    “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

    “Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

    “The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

    "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

    “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

    “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

    “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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    AARP: DISHONEST BROKERS RAISING MONEY TO THROW SENIOR CITIZENS UNDER THE OBAMA’S BUS?

    I am, once again, outraged that AARP is railing against Congress to give the appearance that they are fighting against any attempt to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits as a method for  cutting back the budget and reducing the deficit.

    Is this the same AARP who used its member’s money to run ad campaigns and petition drives to support OBAMAcare – full well knowing that $500 BILLION would be taken out of the Medicare Advantage program to help fund the program? (Note: the for-profit portion of AARP does not promote an Advantage Insurance Program; only a standard Medigap program.)

    Is this the same AARP who unconditionally supports Obama’s medical nightmare which would greatly expand coverage to 12 million additional people (many illegal aliens) without increasing physicians, nurses, medical facilities, diagnostic devices and other critical infrastructure – thus guaranteeing more insurance denials, delays – and potentially DEATH?

    Is this the same AARP who sits idly by while women are denied treatment with a breast cancer drug that is being removed from insurance approval list because it ONLY HELPS SOME PEOPLE – and not everyone?

    So I find the following pitch to be dishonest, disingenuous and disgusting … 

    Capture7-22-2011-4.30.17 PM

    Dear <name redacted>

    Pressure to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits as a means of trimming the federal
    deficit continues to grow in Washington. DC ... and AARP urgently needs your immediate support 
    to fight these efforts to balance the federal budget on the backs of America's seniors    .

    …

    There are many forms of ineffective government spending, but Social Security and Medicare benefits are not among them. AARP is leading the fight against any harmful cuts, and we need your support to succeed.

    Please take these actions:

    FIRST:

    Sign our petitions to your members of Congress. Tell our leaders on Capitol Hill that we will not tolerate harmful cuts to Social Security and Medicare benefits. Return your petitions to AARP and we will deliver them at the best opportunity.

    SECOND:

    When you return your petitions. please enclose a donation to aid AARP's efforts to fight against any legislation that unfairly targets Social Security and Medicare benefits. AARP's membership dues only go so far. For efforts like this, we need your additional support.

    This is undoubtedly one of the most important issues ever addressed by AARP. Few other issues are as important to older Americans as Social Security and Medicare. That's why we have dedicated an enormous effort toward this issue since it first emerged early last year.

    Sincerely,

    Capture7-22-2011-4.44.22 PM
    Addison Barry Rand
    Chief Executive Officer

    Bottom line …

    Somehow, AARP, under the leadership of “A. Barry Rand,” is no longer protecting senior citizens but appears to be acting as a shill for the  Obama Administration. Could it be Rand’s personal politics? AARP’s for-profit benefit? Or a combination of reasons that have little or nothing to do with protecting senior citizens from Obama and his fellow travelers in the healthcare field?

    Remember this when you vote. Remember this when you decide on membership? And perhaps, if enough people complain, Rand will go the way of all professional political lobbyists – somewhere else.

    -- steve

     

     

     

    Reference Links …

    AARP: STUNNING HYPOCRISY?

    Is AARP playing racial and social politics at their member's expense

    Disgusting: AARP plundering seniors to support democrat policy ...

    OBAMACARE: IS AARP TURNING SOCIALIST AND THROWING SENIORS UNDER THE BUS IN FAVOR OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGY

     AARP: MISLEADING COMMERCIAL DEMONIZES SPECIAL INTERESTS LIKE AARP ...

    WHY IS AARP LYING TO ITS SENIOR CITIZEN MEMBERSHIP?

    ObamaCare: Senior Citizens Left Off Government's Swine-Flu Vaccination Priority List -- where is AARP?

    Karmic Payback: AARP forced to raise their employees insurance

    “Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
    "Acta non verba" -- actions not words

    “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

    “Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

    “The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

    "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

    “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

    “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

    “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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    NORWAY MASSACRE: ANOTHER CRISIS TO BE EXPLOITED?

    UPDATE (01): 07-25-11 DEATH TOLL LOWERED TO 76 -- KILLER FACES ONLY 21 YEARS IN JAIL

    The fact that Norway's maximum penalty for any crime is 21 years in prison is facing rising criticism in the wake of the twin attacks that killed 93 76 people, with many deeming the penalty too lax. <Source>

    How very enlightened and progressive of this socialist country whose greatest threat is not terrorism, but socialist multiculturalism combined with political correctness.

    Original Blog Entry ...

    It is the natural propensity of politicians and pundits to rush before the media to exploit whatever tragedy occurs …

    Norway's Terror Shock Citizens are reeling after a bombing shook the capital's center and a gunman opened fire on a camp, killing at least 92.

    At least 92 people died in Norway's twin attacks—seven when a blast ripped through Oslo’s government headquarters, and 85 at a mass shooting at a nearby youth camp. Dozens more were hospitalized. Norway's Prime Minister said that, "Not since the Second World War has the country experienced such an atrocity.” <Source>

    While we can all have sympathy for the victims, survivors and the family of those slain in a brutal, wanton and massacre …

    We should remind ourselves that all of the legislation in the world – legislation which further erodes our freedoms, rights and privileges – could not have prevented this act.

    There is no defense against a crazy person or a committed ideologue who is willing to sacrifice everything – including their own life – to carry out acts of terror. It is the cost of living in today’s society.

    What I find appalling is that certain politicians, political parties and political factions are all gearing up to introduce even more legislation, rules and regulations – all based on the false premise that laws can stop both crazies and criminals.

    The truth of the matter is that the issue will be exploited by self-serving people for their own benefit. And that “we the people” should resist nonsensical or ineffective laws based on any knee-jerk reaction to a crisis.

    Aleady pro-Muslim groups are cranking up the rhetoric to exploit the fact that this was another Timothy McVeigh-type event -- a white middle-class non-Muslim. Further impetus to the Obama Administration and their engage-the-Muslims program to go after non-Muslim groups -- and make the country less safe.

    "Anders Behring Breivik poses in a wetsuit with military gear for an online video. Raised in a middle-class suburb of Oslo, the 32-year-old businessman was a member of the Masonic lodge." And then there is the matter of a 1500-page manifesto and rants against Muslims.

    Bottom line …

    We must resist the type of insanity that allows the government to hire thousands of out-of-shape, ill-prepared, ill-screened unionized people to safeguard travelers – when experience has told us that this group may include illegal aliens with forged documents, criminals who steal from baggage and people have almost unfettered access to secure areas where they may do substantially more harm to travelers, our transportation infrastructure and our nation.

    People who have failed so many times to detect test weapons and bombs that the failure rate is classified as a state secret.

    “Transportation Security Administration screeners at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport missed more than 60% of bomb components which undercover agents attempted to smuggle through airport checkpoints, according to a classified report.  … screeners at Los Angeles International Airport failed to detect the bomb parts and fake explosives about 75 percent of the time … screeners at San Francisco, who work for a private contractor under a pilot program, missed only 20% during a recent round of red team testing by the Department of Homeland Security.” <Source>

    Directed by administrators who are hyper-partisan political hacks or affirmative-action hires instead of true security professionals.

    • Secretary of Homeland Defense Nominee Bernard Kerik, ex- New York Police Commissioner – now serving four years for crimes he committed. <Source>
    • TSA Nominee, Earl Southers, ex-FBI agent who allegedly used Bureau resources illegally to violate the civil rights of his estranged wife and others. <Source>
    • TSA Nominee, Major General Robert Harding, whose nomination was withdrawn after allegations of improper payments by his firm in providing interrogators in Iraq. <Source>

    We must resist those who demand we be politically correct by searching six-year olds and failing to search Muslims in ethnic dress.

    We must resist those who demand that we take off our shoes because some religious crazy tried to ignite a shoe-bomb.

    We must realize that we cannot easily protect against crazies and criminals who have no respect for the law – and that “feel good” Kabuki theatre by our elected officials ill-serves our best interests.

    And we must resist relaxing our vigillance to shift the focus to groups which pose little stattistical threat to the United States. Common sense tells you that Muslims are still the world's number one exporter of terror and should receive priority. As for domestic terror of the non-Muslim militia style --perhaps their is an index that can be developed to track perceived government tyranny and oppression and used to increase surveilance of problematical groups.

    Let us adopt Israeli-type security and actually harden our transportation infrastructure. Starting with the denial of foreign travelers at the point of departure and beefing up our passport/visa controls to track those who remain in the United States.

    Illegal aliens could also be illegal alien terrorists. It is time for commonsense and the shunning of political hacks who are running for the cameras with nonsensical legislation to exploit the current tragedy.

    But the real truth is there for everyone to see: you cannot anticipate, prepare for or prevent egregious acts by criminals or crazies if they are willing to sacrifice themselves for their twisted cause.

    -- steve

    P.S. The real outrage will be if this terrorist is not given the death penalty and allowed to live out his life in the relative comfort of a penal system designed by socialists who believe that everything can be blamed on society -- and that everyone has a degree of collective responsibilty and guilt for the actions of any member of the collective.

    “Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
    "Acta non verba" -- actions not words

    “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

    “Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

    “The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

    "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

    “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

    “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

    “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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    Allen West: This is what "honor" looks like in a principled politician ...

    What more can you say about Allen West …

    This is the type of person who should be running the GOP and the nation … along with Marco Rubio.

    Bottom line …

    There are decent politicians out there – few and far between – and that seems to scare the hell out of the traditional progressive Republicans like Bush and his cronies.

    If you look behind Jon Huntsman’s campaign, you will see Rove, Rumsfeld and the rest of the Bushies.

    While anyone is better than Obama, it is smarter and more effective to elect a constitutional conservative rather than a faux conservative like Chris Christie.

    -- steve

    “Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
    "Acta non verba" -- actions not words

    “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

    “Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

    “The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

    "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

    “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

    “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

    “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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    The disease that is global warming ...

    It took a lot of willpower to resist the urge to make a snarky comment that those who promote public policies based on nothing more than exaggerated results from deeply flawed computer models using highly manipulated data are either neurotic or delusional.

    But we are now starting to see scientific evidence that those who continually promote the idea of global climate change for the purposes of driving a toxic, self-serving political agenda are impacting the health of some in our nation – in a real and quantifiable manner.

    According to an article in the International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, two Australian researchers have found that "there is a growing consensus that increased awareness about climate change is leading to negative emotional reactions in certain individuals." Further noting that "expressions of negative psychological states relating to climate change appear in popular commentary, public opinion polls and increasingly in the medical and psychological literature.”

    It’s working …

    Much in the same manner as Rahm Emanuel suggested; “never let a good crisis go to waste,” those pushing a political agenda, the special interests seeking outsized profits and almost anyone with a tangential interest in exploiting the subject of “global warming” for power, prestige and profits refuse to moderate their positions. Amplifying the dire predictions of planetary disasters to epic proportions – even though the dire consequences are questionable outliers produced by computer models with faulty assumptions, programs and highly manipulated data.

    Instead of mentioning the benefits of a warming climate or explaining the need for more self-protective shelters, the chicken little’s of this world continue to cry “The sky is falling.” Scaring the bejesus out of the uneducated, ill-informed and the most vulnerable in our population.

    Compounding the tragedy …

    To add injury to insult, educators – directed by the socialists who have a vested interest in global warming and environmental issues which fund and support their power base – are scaring children to the point where some psychiatrists are thinking about including anti-anxiety medications to be used in this extremely vulnerable population that appears to already be overmedicated. Especially when exuberant boys cannot be easily controlled by predominantly female teachers who naturally prefer social and compliant female students.

    Someone has the guts to describe the phenomenon in a useful manner …

    The Australian Psychological Society has published a number of noteworthy “tip sheets” which appear to be cognizant of the dangers of environmental change …

    “It is common for people to experience a range of emotions and psychological reactions when faced with information about environmental threats and predictions of an uncertain future. People may feel anxious, scared, sad, depressed, numb, helpless and hopeless, frustrated or angry.”

    “Sometimes, if the information is too unsettling and the solutions seem too difficult, people can cope by minimizing or denying that there is a problem, or avoiding thinking about the problems.”

    while simultaneously claiming …

    “Being skeptical about the problems is another way that people may react. The caution expressed by climate change sceptics could be a form of denial, where it involves minimizing the weight of scientific evidence/consensus on the subject. Or it could indicate that they perceive the risks of change to be greater than the risks of not changing, for themselves or their interests.”

    and cautioning …

    “Once people believe that they cannot do anything to change a situation, they tend to react in all sorts of unhelpful ways. They may become dependent on others (i.e., by believing that the government or corporations will fix things, or that technology has all the answers), resigned ("if it happens, it happens"), cynical ("there's no way you can stop people from driving their cars everywhere - convenience is more important to most people than looking after the environment"), or fed up with the topic.”

    “Another common reaction is to become desensitized to information about environmental problems. Stories and images relating to climate change flood our daily news. People can become desensitized to the stories, and mentally switch off when the next one comes. The fact that these problems are not easily fixed, and seem to go on and on without resolution, increases the chances that we will tune out, thus minimizing our stress and continuing with business as usual.”

    What makes this tip sheet especially important is it highlights issues that are  almost never addressed when people discuss skeptics and the reality that is climate change.

    The greatest drivers of global climate change are beyond mankind’s influence.

    • We cannot, at the present time – and maybe never – be able to change the dynamics of the universe to effect beneficial change.
    • We cannot alter: the Sun’s energy output; our Planet’s position relative to the Sun, our Planet’s rotational dynamics, plate tectonics, volcanic activity, deep ocean currents and the greatest greenhouse gas of all: water vapor.

    Likewise, those who demonize the energy producers (big gas, oil and coal interests) as putting forth self-serving tainted research, often fail to realize that the bulk of the research is actually performed by similarly tainted sources involving big government and special interest educational institutions and foundations whose livelihood is massively affected by government grants.

    That the consensus of scientists appears to be a very small group of active researchers, combined with a very large group of administrators and non-discipline proponents – some of which have been revealed to have altered, shaded or falsified their findings and who have attempted (successfully it appears) to have corrupt the scientific journal peer-review process as it relates to climate studies.

    And that all of the models are so deeply flawed that they did not recognize any trending cooling pattern in their projects even though one has been observed in the last decade.

    Not to mention that the climate appears to have always been cyclical, ever-changing and with self-regulating feedback loops that control the weather. The Earth has been hotter, colder, with more atmospheric CO2 and less atmospheric CO2 – all before man’s influence starting with the industrial revolution.

    An extreme case …

    Cited by the Australian researchers is a case where a patient appeared to have “climate change delusions and visions of apocalyptic events who believed that his personal water consumption could lead to the deaths of millions of people."

    Leading to a new psychological term: carborexia …

    “In fact, they report that displays of climate change related obsessive and depressive behaviors has led to the creation of the term ‘carborexia,’ which ‘refers to individuals who have a fanatical desire to reduce their personal carbon footprint, to the point where it severely affects their lifestyle and normal daily activities.’"

    The author’s conclusion …

    “Yes, we live in truly disturbing times, when climate alarmists are proclaiming one impending catastrophe after another, if anthropogenic CO2 emissions are not drastically reduced; and there is absolutely no question but that the responsibility for the resultant widespread and growing state of irrational depression, anxiety and stress that is manifesting itself throughout the world can be laid squarely at the doorstep of those who peddle climatic doom and gloom, and that the perverse results of their perturbing of the psyches of millions of people will bring nothing but anguish and remorse as rewards for their woefully misguided efforts.” <Source>

    Bottom line …

    Once again, we are confronted by a clash of ideologies.

    On one hand, we have a capitalist society with free markets and which features individualism over collectivism.

    And on the other hand, we have socialism/communism which stresses the relative unimportance of individuals who must be centrally managed by a “ruling elite” for the benefit of collective society. It is worthy of note that this type of thinking is rooted in achieving power by managing real or imagined (man-created) scarcities and has always promoted population control as a means to sustain man’s survivability.

    Wherever it has been tried, socialism/communism has failed as an ideology and has lead to corruption and outright totalitarianism. Another way of saying that the politicians and their special interest friends enslave entire populations for their personal benefit.

    It is now time to revert to commonsense prescriptions which include further research into coping mechanisms for whatever climate nature provides, continuing to improve air, land and water quality as good stewards – and to avoid allowing gross polluters to continue polluting the planet as long as they pay politicians and Wall Street for the privilege with their cap-and-trade schemes. 

    You are not voting for a President in 2012, you are voting to keep America strong, productive and beautiful – or to turn America into a cross between Russia, France, Mexico and Argentina.

    And you need to insure that constitutional conservatives serve in local, state and the federal government.  Especially in the House of Representatives and more importantly, the Senate.

    It’s your choice – your future that’s on the line. Do you want to become a progressive socialist and have the government manage your life? Or do you want to live in a free and open society where you can achieve mighty things and dream mighty dreams without government’s heavy foot on your neck.

    As I said – the choice is yours.

    -- steve

    P.S. One would naturally expect a Planet emerging from an ice age to steadily warm until it reaches a point when the Planet cools as it regresses to some unknown central value.

    Reference Links …

    The Debilitating Disease of Climate Alarmism

    Australian Psychological Society Tip Sheets

    “Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
    "Acta non verba" -- actions not words

    “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

    “Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

    “The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

    "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

    “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

    “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

    “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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    GLOBAL WARMING: WHICH EXPERTS CAN YOU BELIEVE?

    The other day, one of my blog readers asked me how I knew which global climatologists to follow. I tried to first explain something about what I call my ten observations about the nature of science and then provided him with a portion of  the framework which conditions my thinking.

    My basic thinking is conditioned by, but not limited to, the following observations:

    • One, the results of any scientific observation depends on the viewpoint of the observer and any filters through which their observation may pass.
    • Two, science is not done by consensus and that one man’s insight can trump all of the establishment’s credentialed experts. In fact, the greater number of immediate experts on a project, the more likely that the results will be “shaded” to fit the group consensus.
    • Three, scientific “facts” may be transient and mutable depending on our level of perceived knowledge of the underlying phenomenon.
    • Four, given a multiplicity of complex answers to complex questions, the simplest explanation of the phenomenon with the least assumptions and manipulation of the data may be the preferable one.
    • Five, mathematical description may introduces artificial artifacts into one’s findings and that these artifacts may suggest a knowledge or precision which does not reflect reality as it is currently known.
    • Six, computer models are but an approximation of the phenomena being modeled and because a computer program can produce what appears to be a picture of a shell; it does not mean that all of the characteristics and behavior of a shell lie in the model or that the findings are extensible to the entire universe.
    • Seven, statistical results are approximations which are best explained in terms of probability and some estimate of potential error.
    • Eight, research findings are likely to correlate highly with the views of the sponsoring institution or the individual project’s sponsor as many research grants are written to secure sponsorship and funding – as well as to secure the right to proceed with one’s scientific work.
    • Nine, as researchers become more specialized, they tend to focus on the minutiae of the experiment and overlook the broader implications of a more multi-disciplinary approach.
    • Ten, talented amateurs who dedicate prodigious amounts of time, effort and money to pursuing their interest may often produce results equal to or superior to professional researchers. One, because they are not limited by artificial constraints or a slavish devotion to existing wisdom. And two, because they are not under pressure to produce results – which may or may not conform to accepted thinking.

    When I review a work, I first ask myself if I am presently capable of understanding the underlying mathematical expressions used to describe the phenomenon being studied and if any of the expressions violate my understanding of physics (as I know it to be at that point in time) or my understanding of the basic concept of the issue being discussed.

    As to the “expert in question,” I tend to think about a flowchart protocol.

    Capture7-14-2011-11.59.40 PM

    But when it comes to making public policy, can we trust the experts?

    This is an interesting question because it makes two implicit – and false assumptions.

    One, it implicitly assumes that public policy is made for the public good – and not for the self-serving interests of corrupt politicians influenced by special interests.

    And two, it assumes that “scientists” are free from internal and external pressure as they go about their work. That they will honestly report their findings independently of their conscious or subconscious personal motivation or institutional inclinations.

    In the present case, I have seen prominent, credentialed scientists turn into activists. To promote themselves and their work for prestige, power and profit. And to promote their cause even if it means shading the truth or participating in a loosely-coupled confederation of people with similar interests and motivations.

    Un-common commonsense …

    When it comes to global climate change, both history and common sense will tell you that our climate is variable (sometimes described as being a chaotic system) and that change is constant. That our climate appears to be cyclical with both long-term and short-term patterns that can be detected in past data. And because climate is a chaotic system, perhaps cannot be used to predict future climate actions.

    When it comes to global climate change, it appears that the Earth has been hotter, colder, with more atmospheric carbon dioxide and with less carbon dioxide – before man’s industrialization even became an issue. One would expect that a Planet recovering from an ice age would steadily warm until it reached some point only known to nature and then started regressing to an unknown mean.

    That it appears that the gross drivers of global climate change are factors over which man has little or no control. We cannot control the Sun’s output, nor our Planet’s position relative to the Sun; nor our Planet’s rotational dynamics, plate tectonics, deep ocean currents or even the greatest of greenhouse gases: water vapor.

    We can appreciate that the rise in atmospheric Carbon Dioxide can be explained by the warming of the oceans as we emerge from the ice age. We can observe that the rise in carbon dioxide appears to lag the rise in temperature, making it unlikely that carbon dioxide is a causal or regulating factor.

    And we can see that the dire predictions presented to panic the population into allowing politicians to make self-serving public policies which benefit them and their special interest friends are based on flawed computer models, incomplete assumptions, heavily manipulated data – and don’t correspond with observable reality. That is, they show an ever increasing temperature rise which overlooks the reality of a cooling trend that appears we have experienced for the last ten years.

    Deception and misdirection …

    Of course, those putting forth public policy have now changed the name of the phenomenon from global warming to global climate change – and are in the process of once again changing the moniker to include all eventualities by concentrating not on global warming, global cooling – but simply “impacts from the global climate.”

    It is my personal opinion that we have not had an open and honest debate about the phenomenon because many scientists are afraid of the government and the special interests – not so much the oil, coal and energy companies – but those on Wall Street who would profit mightily from the demonization and government control over a single component of our atmosphere: carbon dioxide. Chosen precisely because the control over carbon dioxide is a key to controlling the production, storage and usage of energy – the key to controlling our national economy to benefit the special interests.

    Already there are politicians using faux science to limit your freedoms. There is absolutely no evidence that switching to compact florescent lights from incandescent lights translated into any measurable effect on our global climate. In fact, it adds to the risk of mercury pollution in our ecosystem. Who does benefit are the energy producers who will face reduced electricity loads which allows them to forgo the expense of building new infrastructure or the exorbitant costs of replacing or repairing their current infrastructure. This yields larger profit margins, bigger executive bonuses and more campaign contributions to the politicians.

    The very politicians that claim they want energy independence and for the last forty years have done little or nothing to make the United States energy independent. Primarily as a result of a progressive socialist/communist campaign against nuclear energy which uses our own environmental laws against us.

    Bottom line …

    Think what you will – but apply commonsense and some formal or informal method when deciding who to trust in this public policy debate over global climate change. I am not asking you to trust me – but to develop your own opinion based on observable facts and commonsense.

    But I am asking you to vote – to remove progressive democrats and progressive republicans which present a clear and present danger to our beloved America. Unless we can elect “honest brokers” to represent “We the People,” it doesn’t matter what the science may reveal – the political reality will be continuing government tyranny. Something that affects you, your family, and coming generations.

    Be good stewards of the air, land and water – but don’t let charlatans tell you that selling indulgences to gross polluters using a fiction called cap-and-trade will benefit the planet, humanity or yourself.

    -- steve

    “Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
    "Acta non verba" -- actions not words

    “Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

    “Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

    “The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

    "The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

    “A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

    “Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

    “Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS

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