Just to touch on yesterday's theme, part of the problem in Washington is we the voter's, settle. If a candidate offered by the parties isn't representative of your core principles, complaints need to be made. I always ask myself, Does this person exude the character, integrity, platform, and ideals that represent me? After all, your the employer and they are a direct reflection of you. If you were interviewing for a personal assistant, someone who'd handle all of your affairs and be in constant contact with your friends and family, would the elected official your voting for be considered?
From the dog catcher to the president, if that person is employed by your vote, they need to be scrutinized in this manner. Each one of them handles a portion of your finances, they represent you in public, they mirror your views, and reflect your character. Now with those parameters, who currently in office is qualified to hold their position?
I propose we've been less that diligent in our choices, and the result is obvious. If the menu of choice is absent of someone to fit our taste, we need to complain to the management. There are over 100 members of the progressive caucus in Washington, that's just about 25% of the population of the White House and Congress. Are we really a nation that 1/4 of the population doesn't believe in the Constitution or the principles of our founding fathers? Or is it we've become complacent in our choices at the ballot box, inadvertently voting in representatives that reflect socialism and cradle to grave entitlement policies? I believe strongly in the latter.
This progressive thinking isn't just an infection of the democrats. It doesn't discriminate between parties, it's probably one of the few bi-partisan ideals in Washington. I'll betcha the bulk of the population believes that the progressive agenda represents progress. If the voters were informed of the real agenda, they'd treat these candidates like lepers. So as responsible employers it's our duty to not only be informed, but to educate others!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
We're Being Wrangled!
Today I stand in awe of the incredibly bad behavior consistently displayed by the poor excuse for leadership in Washington. Before I get too much further I'd better issue this disclaimer. I'm not now nor never have been a fan of Rep. Charlie Rangel democrat from the state of New York. In fact in my opinion the quicker he's locked behind bars, the safer this nation will become.
Now that I have that off my chest. Rep. Rangel is chairman of the tax law writing committee. So one might assume he has a working grasp of the tax laws and that you have to actually pay taxes on your income. Not so much. Rangel is forever being investigated for question deductions and income or property over sites being excluded from his returns. To date little or nothing has been done about this behavior. But his latest antics are just too much to swallow.
Rangel accepted a trip, all expenses paid, to the Caribbean, from powerful a lobby group. That's a no-no, Charlie. After the investigation he was admonished by the Ethics Committee. Instead of admitting his error and asking forgiveness, Rep. Rangel decided to make this statement." Common sense would dictate that members of Congress should not be held responsible for the wrong doing or the mistakes or errors of staff, unless there is reason to believe, that the member (Him), knew or should have known."
Excuse me for a second while I collect my breath......... Balderdash! Once again this at large convict is caught breaking the rules , and refuses to accept responsibility! Charles....just who is responsible for the actions of your staff? Who hired them? Your trying to tell us after the decades you've spent in Congress you don't know enough to ask who paid for this junket? You've been there since 1971.
We, the American people, will not accept your excuses justifying bad behavior, yet again. Accept responsibility for your actions, step outside your crooked comfort zone and show just a tad of leadership. In my eyes your a tax cheat, ethically challenged, and leadership impaired. If John Q. Public had committed these offenses they'd be serving jail time. Yet you sit as the Chair of the tax law writing committee. It's impossible for me to fathom why your not in a federal prison as I type these words.
Now, I have to ask; New York, is this the best representative you can find to send to Washington? How many times does Rangel have to embarrass your state? What indiscretion does it take to get unseated as an elected official in your state? Just how many excuses are one too many? As voters, you too bear responsibility for the actions of your officials. After all you hired him, and his staff. We as a nation need to accept responsibility for our choices too! Demand better, accept no less.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Now that I have that off my chest. Rep. Rangel is chairman of the tax law writing committee. So one might assume he has a working grasp of the tax laws and that you have to actually pay taxes on your income. Not so much. Rangel is forever being investigated for question deductions and income or property over sites being excluded from his returns. To date little or nothing has been done about this behavior. But his latest antics are just too much to swallow.
Rangel accepted a trip, all expenses paid, to the Caribbean, from powerful a lobby group. That's a no-no, Charlie. After the investigation he was admonished by the Ethics Committee. Instead of admitting his error and asking forgiveness, Rep. Rangel decided to make this statement." Common sense would dictate that members of Congress should not be held responsible for the wrong doing or the mistakes or errors of staff, unless there is reason to believe, that the member (Him), knew or should have known."
Excuse me for a second while I collect my breath......... Balderdash! Once again this at large convict is caught breaking the rules , and refuses to accept responsibility! Charles....just who is responsible for the actions of your staff? Who hired them? Your trying to tell us after the decades you've spent in Congress you don't know enough to ask who paid for this junket? You've been there since 1971.
We, the American people, will not accept your excuses justifying bad behavior, yet again. Accept responsibility for your actions, step outside your crooked comfort zone and show just a tad of leadership. In my eyes your a tax cheat, ethically challenged, and leadership impaired. If John Q. Public had committed these offenses they'd be serving jail time. Yet you sit as the Chair of the tax law writing committee. It's impossible for me to fathom why your not in a federal prison as I type these words.
Now, I have to ask; New York, is this the best representative you can find to send to Washington? How many times does Rangel have to embarrass your state? What indiscretion does it take to get unseated as an elected official in your state? Just how many excuses are one too many? As voters, you too bear responsibility for the actions of your officials. After all you hired him, and his staff. We as a nation need to accept responsibility for our choices too! Demand better, accept no less.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Friday, February 26, 2010
Opportunity Awaits!
Today I'd like to encourage everyone who reads this blog to drop by this web site tonight @ PM for a live webinar hosted by best selling authors Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward! It's a rare look at financial health, from the perspective of two common sense gentlemen with "the fruit on the tree!"
http://cart.bradywoodwardbooks.com/default.aspx?na=c&TabId=114&WebinarID=7
I'm hoping it's the first in an ongoing series designed to pay forward the truth about finances that sadly, we're not taught. We're not taught sound financial principles because frankly, most of us had no one in our lives who attained financial success. How can you teach what you've not achieved? It's be like me teaching baton twirling! While I might be able to give you an idea of the desired goal, I don't have the methods needed to get you there.
I can assure you this will be entertaining and informative. I'm also certain it's going to hit some of us right between the eyes, and be a giant wake up call. Let's face it, this is a rare opportunity. Even those who've pursued advanced financial training have been bombarded with theory, usually taught by a professor who, truth be told, isn't financially successful! How often are we blessed to enjoy the words of wisdom from mentors with seven plus figure incomes? While I've often taken wealthy people fishing, nary a one has sat down and corrected my stinking thinking about finances. Don't miss this opportunity to have the financial myths we were misled by be corrected.
Success is just a matter of tweaking behavior. You have to be prepared to do things outside the norm to achieve better than normal results. This is a great chance to see how the top 5% income earners think. I'll bet we learn we already have the tools to financial success available to us, it's just knowing how to implement them that keeps us from financial freedom. As you've heard me say before,"Follow the money, people!"
God Bless
Capt. Bill
http://cart.bradywoodwardbooks.com/default.aspx?na=c&TabId=114&WebinarID=7
I'm hoping it's the first in an ongoing series designed to pay forward the truth about finances that sadly, we're not taught. We're not taught sound financial principles because frankly, most of us had no one in our lives who attained financial success. How can you teach what you've not achieved? It's be like me teaching baton twirling! While I might be able to give you an idea of the desired goal, I don't have the methods needed to get you there.
I can assure you this will be entertaining and informative. I'm also certain it's going to hit some of us right between the eyes, and be a giant wake up call. Let's face it, this is a rare opportunity. Even those who've pursued advanced financial training have been bombarded with theory, usually taught by a professor who, truth be told, isn't financially successful! How often are we blessed to enjoy the words of wisdom from mentors with seven plus figure incomes? While I've often taken wealthy people fishing, nary a one has sat down and corrected my stinking thinking about finances. Don't miss this opportunity to have the financial myths we were misled by be corrected.
Success is just a matter of tweaking behavior. You have to be prepared to do things outside the norm to achieve better than normal results. This is a great chance to see how the top 5% income earners think. I'll bet we learn we already have the tools to financial success available to us, it's just knowing how to implement them that keeps us from financial freedom. As you've heard me say before,"Follow the money, people!"
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Circus,Circus!
Once again I sit at this keyboard to address the absurd actions played out in Washington. Congress has decided to parade the upper management of the Toyota corporation in front of a panel to uncover their recall problems. So I have to ask...Where is that authority written in the Constitution? Who on that panel has an inkling of the knowledge necessary to discuss automotive engineering? And since our government has a financial interest in competitive automakers, isn't this totally inappropriate?
First, let's address the conflicting interest issue. My first mentor when I entered the field of management impressed upon me these immortal words. "When in a position of authority, it's imperative to be above reproach." In English that suggests there should never be a question in your integrity. Every action you take should reflect the character of your position. With that in mind, is it proper for Congress, to question a competitor of General Motors and Chrysler, while having a financial interest in those companies? Nope!
Now, to the experience issue. If your going to be the overseeing authority demanding answers as to why a vehicle failed, shouldn't you have a working knowledge of how an automobile is designed, and operates? I'll bet my castle that there isn't one politician on the panel who could change his own oil, let alone understand the workings of an electronically controlled engine. I'm particularly passionate about this part of this issue as I believe most of these claims are invented, here's why.
As a younger man I was an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), certified mechanic. So I do have a working knowledge of engines. A gas engine needs fuel, air, compression, a spark applied at the proper time to run. The fuel and spark timing are supplied by the computer system, which derives it's information from sensors throughout the engine and exhaust. Now here's the key, the air necessary to make the fuel fired is metered by a flap that is manually controlled by the operator's foot pressure applied to the gas pedal. This is the main determining factor on the revolutions per minuet of the engine, or how fast it can go. Without air the computer system can supply all the fuel and advance the timing as much as it wants, but the engine cannot accelerate without the additional air. So to suggest it's an electronic problem causing the vehicles to speed off out of control is ludicrous. Only the introduction of more air can allow the car to go faster, hence it's a faulty air delivery system (gas pedal linkage or cable), causing this issue.
The fact that the same Lexis that a tearful testifier complained to Congress ran off out of control, was sold to another family that has put an additional 27,000 trouble free miles, suggests what? Well, perhaps the operator panicked? Personally I would have handled that situation one of two ways....Turn off the key and apply the emergency brake, or simply put the vehicle in neutral and applying the foot brake. Both accomplish charge of the situation and suggest the driver is actually in control of the vehicle, and their responses. Someone who chooses to bring this issue to Congress as a terror ridden experience, hints to me that a great deal of the terror was brought on by panic and a failure to have a handle on both their actions and emotions.
So we have a governing authority who is overseeing something they have no knowledge of, thereby drawing conclusions based on flawed information obtained by uninformed questioning. Add into that they are usurping their authority to even hold these hearings, and the fact it's inappropriate to be holding Toyota accountable because they have a financial relationship with it's competition. This is what our government has morphed into. Thomas Jefferson and company must be spinning in their graves! Congress has no business questioning steroid use, car company recalls, college playoff systems, or anything that does not involve upholding our Constitution or protecting our borders, period! It's a waste of taxpayer's money and an abuse of authority!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
First, let's address the conflicting interest issue. My first mentor when I entered the field of management impressed upon me these immortal words. "When in a position of authority, it's imperative to be above reproach." In English that suggests there should never be a question in your integrity. Every action you take should reflect the character of your position. With that in mind, is it proper for Congress, to question a competitor of General Motors and Chrysler, while having a financial interest in those companies? Nope!
Now, to the experience issue. If your going to be the overseeing authority demanding answers as to why a vehicle failed, shouldn't you have a working knowledge of how an automobile is designed, and operates? I'll bet my castle that there isn't one politician on the panel who could change his own oil, let alone understand the workings of an electronically controlled engine. I'm particularly passionate about this part of this issue as I believe most of these claims are invented, here's why.
As a younger man I was an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence), certified mechanic. So I do have a working knowledge of engines. A gas engine needs fuel, air, compression, a spark applied at the proper time to run. The fuel and spark timing are supplied by the computer system, which derives it's information from sensors throughout the engine and exhaust. Now here's the key, the air necessary to make the fuel fired is metered by a flap that is manually controlled by the operator's foot pressure applied to the gas pedal. This is the main determining factor on the revolutions per minuet of the engine, or how fast it can go. Without air the computer system can supply all the fuel and advance the timing as much as it wants, but the engine cannot accelerate without the additional air. So to suggest it's an electronic problem causing the vehicles to speed off out of control is ludicrous. Only the introduction of more air can allow the car to go faster, hence it's a faulty air delivery system (gas pedal linkage or cable), causing this issue.
The fact that the same Lexis that a tearful testifier complained to Congress ran off out of control, was sold to another family that has put an additional 27,000 trouble free miles, suggests what? Well, perhaps the operator panicked? Personally I would have handled that situation one of two ways....Turn off the key and apply the emergency brake, or simply put the vehicle in neutral and applying the foot brake. Both accomplish charge of the situation and suggest the driver is actually in control of the vehicle, and their responses. Someone who chooses to bring this issue to Congress as a terror ridden experience, hints to me that a great deal of the terror was brought on by panic and a failure to have a handle on both their actions and emotions.
So we have a governing authority who is overseeing something they have no knowledge of, thereby drawing conclusions based on flawed information obtained by uninformed questioning. Add into that they are usurping their authority to even hold these hearings, and the fact it's inappropriate to be holding Toyota accountable because they have a financial relationship with it's competition. This is what our government has morphed into. Thomas Jefferson and company must be spinning in their graves! Congress has no business questioning steroid use, car company recalls, college playoff systems, or anything that does not involve upholding our Constitution or protecting our borders, period! It's a waste of taxpayer's money and an abuse of authority!
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Accounting on Healthcare!
Let's imagine someone was taking money out of your wallet everyday, stealing it if you were. How long would you tolerate it before you took action to end this theft? Personally, there wouldn't be a second opportunity to get at my funds.
So, let's apply this to the reoccurring theme of healthcare. Once again Washington is attempting to pass legislation to control either the insurance companies, or the cost of healthcare. They really haven't been clear on the objective, but it seems if they control one it's suppose to address the other. Now, the signature piece of the cost savings of this legislation, is the money saved by reforming the fraud in Medicare and Medicaid, theft of our money. So after a year and a month of being in office and bringing us, hope and change. What has this administration done to stop the theft of our tax dollars in Medicare and Medicaid? Nada, zip, zilch, nothing, zero! So, if your going to base a plan upon reducing fraud, wouldn't it be stellar to attempt to confront that theft ASAP, and use it as a selling point? Or are the American tax payers being sold another,"pig in a poke?" You decide, but I know a boat load of hooey, when I see one! What's the hold-up?
We as tax payers are constantly being mislead by people we are suppose to trust. They flat out lie to us. They are trying to sell us this legislation with pro forma accounting. These budgets should begin with the line,"once upon a time", because they are all manipulated fairy tales. Inflated and imaginary numbers replace facts, savings and cost cutting are overstated, then they excuse this knowingly wrong report with,"The situation was worse than even we imagined." Trust me they have the "imagined" part correct, but that's where it ends. This is the kind of accounting that Enron used to deceive it's investors and cook the books. Washington was appalled when that debacle appeared, yet the same accounting principles are used to deceive,"We the people."
They are counting on us being financial illiterates. It's not unlike an unsuspecting customer walking into a unscrupulous auto repair shop and hearing.... "Your quatostat has become defective due to a over modulation of the thermosyntofier, in turn the muffler bearing is producing a vibration that induces the production of rubber worms."
We need to be educated. The media needs to do it's job too. So many times a politician is questioned to the point he, or she gives a reply, but no one challenges the validity of the statement. Just once I'd love to hear the second question be,"Why is that", or "Where do you get those figures from?" Facts and figures are too often made up on the spot to fit the need. It's up to us and the media to hold them accountable. Let's raise the bar to a higher level!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
So, let's apply this to the reoccurring theme of healthcare. Once again Washington is attempting to pass legislation to control either the insurance companies, or the cost of healthcare. They really haven't been clear on the objective, but it seems if they control one it's suppose to address the other. Now, the signature piece of the cost savings of this legislation, is the money saved by reforming the fraud in Medicare and Medicaid, theft of our money. So after a year and a month of being in office and bringing us, hope and change. What has this administration done to stop the theft of our tax dollars in Medicare and Medicaid? Nada, zip, zilch, nothing, zero! So, if your going to base a plan upon reducing fraud, wouldn't it be stellar to attempt to confront that theft ASAP, and use it as a selling point? Or are the American tax payers being sold another,"pig in a poke?" You decide, but I know a boat load of hooey, when I see one! What's the hold-up?
We as tax payers are constantly being mislead by people we are suppose to trust. They flat out lie to us. They are trying to sell us this legislation with pro forma accounting. These budgets should begin with the line,"once upon a time", because they are all manipulated fairy tales. Inflated and imaginary numbers replace facts, savings and cost cutting are overstated, then they excuse this knowingly wrong report with,"The situation was worse than even we imagined." Trust me they have the "imagined" part correct, but that's where it ends. This is the kind of accounting that Enron used to deceive it's investors and cook the books. Washington was appalled when that debacle appeared, yet the same accounting principles are used to deceive,"We the people."
They are counting on us being financial illiterates. It's not unlike an unsuspecting customer walking into a unscrupulous auto repair shop and hearing.... "Your quatostat has become defective due to a over modulation of the thermosyntofier, in turn the muffler bearing is producing a vibration that induces the production of rubber worms."
We need to be educated. The media needs to do it's job too. So many times a politician is questioned to the point he, or she gives a reply, but no one challenges the validity of the statement. Just once I'd love to hear the second question be,"Why is that", or "Where do you get those figures from?" Facts and figures are too often made up on the spot to fit the need. It's up to us and the media to hold them accountable. Let's raise the bar to a higher level!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
A Message from the Helm!
Today I thought I'd explain myself. I titled this blog."A View from Offshore", for specific reasons. As a "Ships Master", (Captain), there is a need to be ever vigilant for change. Tiny little observations in conditions are tell tale signs of pending weather changes. Sometimes it's a change in the direction of the wind, other times it's as simple as a slight temperature drop, but when your a hundred miles from shore it can mean the difference between a safe trip, and being stuck in life threatening conditions. My charge is the safety of my passengers and the well being of the vessel I command. I cannot be ignorant of my environment, failure can be fatal. It would also demand I answer to the Coast Guard. Regardless of the reason, ultimately it's my responsibility to know better. They appointed me the expert, accountable for the outcome, when they handed me my license.
My job demands some book learning and relying on historical examples...experience. Add a strong dose of common sense and a demand for accepting responsibility for your decisions, you come up with a unique formula for forecasting and resolving problems. So the basis for my thought process wanders outside the norm.
I'm also blessed to be in constant company of the #9 ranked leadership guru, Orrin Woodward. Consequently I'm also influenced by his circle of friends, financially successful, principle based mentors. Let me tell you, as a person who's job depends on observations, success leaves clues. Trust me I observe how they think and resolve problems, and apply it to my thought process as well.
So when I offer you an observation or an opinion here, I like to think it's an unique, unclouded view of clear thinking, brought to you from a distance. It's based on history, leadership principles, faith, common sense, lots of research, and a sense of accountability for my thoughts. I weigh every word as I know it might have an affect on how or what you think, and I hold that responsibility dear. This is the mission statement of this blog.
There is never a lack of material for this blog. It's a means for me to vent, therapy if you will, about all the wrong, and the right thinking we are presented everyday. People are incredible creatures. God love em! Imamanoncall left us a comment yesterday that eluded to typical behavior of those special thinking few. He was in the airport preparing to leave for an overseas flight to another country. the plane had mechanical problems, as machines sometimes do. The flight was delayed not once, but twice. Don't you know there were some passengers who lost their emotional intelligence over the delay. How do you think like that? Are they expecting the airline to allow you to use a plane that is less than safe? Just another example of the flawed thinking we try to expose and influence here. I know how he handled the situation, with the foresight and patience necessary when common sense is applied. Keep the comments coming!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
My job demands some book learning and relying on historical examples...experience. Add a strong dose of common sense and a demand for accepting responsibility for your decisions, you come up with a unique formula for forecasting and resolving problems. So the basis for my thought process wanders outside the norm.
I'm also blessed to be in constant company of the #9 ranked leadership guru, Orrin Woodward. Consequently I'm also influenced by his circle of friends, financially successful, principle based mentors. Let me tell you, as a person who's job depends on observations, success leaves clues. Trust me I observe how they think and resolve problems, and apply it to my thought process as well.
So when I offer you an observation or an opinion here, I like to think it's an unique, unclouded view of clear thinking, brought to you from a distance. It's based on history, leadership principles, faith, common sense, lots of research, and a sense of accountability for my thoughts. I weigh every word as I know it might have an affect on how or what you think, and I hold that responsibility dear. This is the mission statement of this blog.
There is never a lack of material for this blog. It's a means for me to vent, therapy if you will, about all the wrong, and the right thinking we are presented everyday. People are incredible creatures. God love em! Imamanoncall left us a comment yesterday that eluded to typical behavior of those special thinking few. He was in the airport preparing to leave for an overseas flight to another country. the plane had mechanical problems, as machines sometimes do. The flight was delayed not once, but twice. Don't you know there were some passengers who lost their emotional intelligence over the delay. How do you think like that? Are they expecting the airline to allow you to use a plane that is less than safe? Just another example of the flawed thinking we try to expose and influence here. I know how he handled the situation, with the foresight and patience necessary when common sense is applied. Keep the comments coming!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Monday, February 22, 2010
A Timeless Lesson!
Well, I think you all know by now just about every time I fly I have a story to tell. I can't help it, I'm a student of people, and bless their hearts they are pretty darn funny at times. This observation isn't as funny as it is telling, so without further delay, away we go.
My flight to Orlando, (the happiest place on earth), was full. One hundred and eighty smiling faces, all looking forward to an on time departure and a uneventful flight. Absolutely no one was disappointed, we got off from the gate early and arrived fifteen minuets ahead of schedule, it was what I noticed between take off and touchdown that today's blog is about.
I think time in the air is pretty telling when it comes to how we occupy ourselves when bored. From my seat I could see about twelve individuals, about eight percent of the people on the plane. While I split my time reading between two books, (one pertaining to finance and economics and one from the history file), and people watching, here's what I saw. The girl to my right had out two magazines. One was about and inch and a half thick, chock full of nothing but advertisements about fashion, make-up, fragrances, and accessories. There didn't seem to be the first bit of reading in their, nothing but pictures. I couldn't help but hope she didn't pay money for it, and marvel at what the advertisement revenue must be at that company. The next young lady was busy watching a DVD from her personal player, and then there was a retired gentleman devouring a very large novel. Two more passengers were bopping to their IPODS, while two more enjoyed a nap. Another pair were playing video games, one young lady was studying a college textbook, and the final duo just stared out the window for the two hour flight, fidgeting in their seats. It was quite a cross section of America and a testament to how we use our idle time. Of the twelve two were utilizing their down time to improve their lives.
I was reminded of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire had a great technology for conquering and taxing people, so they were able to build a vast and powerful empire. They also had a huge bureaucracy , and Rome became a great city of people who expected to be entertained and fed. Basically a welfare state, that relied upon the government for everything. The government, while trying to do the right thing for their citizens created more problems, than they solved. With that level of expectation, Rome became a litigious state. There were more lawsuits per capita than even in America today. With all of this overhead, taxes were passed on to the working of the empire (stop me if this starts to sound familiar), soon the workers began to migrate to other lands to avoid the tyranny of taxation, to feed and care for the ever growing idle. The problem got worse not better for Rome. The workers were leaving and the idle and their level of expectations on the government grew. To deflect the seriousness of the problem the Roman authority entertained the people in the Colosseum, a distraction designed to deflect the gravity of their woes. Is this why they say; " Nero fiddled as Rome burned?"
So are we a nation distracted by entertainment as our bureaucracy grows out of control? Have we grown to a nation who expects our government to solve our problems? Or are we a nation that utilizes our idle time to improve ourselves and solve our own problems? The parallel is frightfully similar. There will be time to fiddle, but first we solve.
Carpe Diem, seize the day! If we become a nation of self sufficient citizens, who utilize their time to get themselves right first, we will grow stronger and more independent. Not the interdependent, needy, litigious, nanny state our government is offering us. The latter option's end result is written in history. Do we learn from other's mistakes, or follow in their foot steps?
God Bless
Capt. Bill
My flight to Orlando, (the happiest place on earth), was full. One hundred and eighty smiling faces, all looking forward to an on time departure and a uneventful flight. Absolutely no one was disappointed, we got off from the gate early and arrived fifteen minuets ahead of schedule, it was what I noticed between take off and touchdown that today's blog is about.
I think time in the air is pretty telling when it comes to how we occupy ourselves when bored. From my seat I could see about twelve individuals, about eight percent of the people on the plane. While I split my time reading between two books, (one pertaining to finance and economics and one from the history file), and people watching, here's what I saw. The girl to my right had out two magazines. One was about and inch and a half thick, chock full of nothing but advertisements about fashion, make-up, fragrances, and accessories. There didn't seem to be the first bit of reading in their, nothing but pictures. I couldn't help but hope she didn't pay money for it, and marvel at what the advertisement revenue must be at that company. The next young lady was busy watching a DVD from her personal player, and then there was a retired gentleman devouring a very large novel. Two more passengers were bopping to their IPODS, while two more enjoyed a nap. Another pair were playing video games, one young lady was studying a college textbook, and the final duo just stared out the window for the two hour flight, fidgeting in their seats. It was quite a cross section of America and a testament to how we use our idle time. Of the twelve two were utilizing their down time to improve their lives.
I was reminded of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire had a great technology for conquering and taxing people, so they were able to build a vast and powerful empire. They also had a huge bureaucracy , and Rome became a great city of people who expected to be entertained and fed. Basically a welfare state, that relied upon the government for everything. The government, while trying to do the right thing for their citizens created more problems, than they solved. With that level of expectation, Rome became a litigious state. There were more lawsuits per capita than even in America today. With all of this overhead, taxes were passed on to the working of the empire (stop me if this starts to sound familiar), soon the workers began to migrate to other lands to avoid the tyranny of taxation, to feed and care for the ever growing idle. The problem got worse not better for Rome. The workers were leaving and the idle and their level of expectations on the government grew. To deflect the seriousness of the problem the Roman authority entertained the people in the Colosseum, a distraction designed to deflect the gravity of their woes. Is this why they say; " Nero fiddled as Rome burned?"
So are we a nation distracted by entertainment as our bureaucracy grows out of control? Have we grown to a nation who expects our government to solve our problems? Or are we a nation that utilizes our idle time to improve ourselves and solve our own problems? The parallel is frightfully similar. There will be time to fiddle, but first we solve.
Carpe Diem, seize the day! If we become a nation of self sufficient citizens, who utilize their time to get themselves right first, we will grow stronger and more independent. Not the interdependent, needy, litigious, nanny state our government is offering us. The latter option's end result is written in history. Do we learn from other's mistakes, or follow in their foot steps?
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Freedom or Security?
Today I want to focus on a trade off most of us have settled for. It's not our fault really, we've been victims of a system, a system that was taught to our parents, and our parent's, parents. We've unconsciously traded security for freedom, and we did so willingly.
Think about America back in the 1800's, up until the dawn of the industrial age in the early 1900's. Just about everyone was an entrepreneur! They all worked either on the family farm, or they had merchandize that supplied goods for that endeavor. Most were home schooled or taught in a little community school the necessary "learning" to survive in that environment. There were some employees but if you remember they were generally the undereducated, who loaded goods, swept up, or worked as ranch hands. Not your employee of today. So isn't it fair to say our earlier years almost everyone was in business for themselves, or what we call entrepreneurs? That lifestyle didn't offer much security, but you were your own boss and were as successful as your work ethic allowed. Your survival depended upon you.
Not so much today. We've been sold the plan to go to school, get good grades, go on to higher education, one focused around teaching you to become an employee, and landing a secure job. Or in a nut shell we've been trained to become employees, trading off the uncertainty of being an entrepreneur, for the security of a safe job, hopefully with benefits. Who sold us that bill of goods?
So instead of working for ourselves, setting our own schedule, and having unlimited earning potential. We've opted, in the name of security, to trade away our freedom. Now someone else tells us where to be, and at what time, when we can go to the bathroom, when we can eat lunch, and what time we can go home and enjoy time with our family. We've been convinced that the price of personal freedom was worth the security of a paycheck. We've put a price on freedom. So, how much was your's worth? Did you sell out cheap?
Well the good news is this is still the land of opportunity. We can break those bonds and be free. No longer do we have to have someone else determine what our time is worth. You can take personal responsibility for helping to mend the jobless situation, and donate your bondage to another. You can set your own pay, and decide when you want a promotion. You can choose the people you get to work with, and at what hours you perform our tasks. Make your schedule your own, and enjoy the freedom our country was founded upon, become an entrepreneur!
There are so many opportunities in this great country. Opportunities that offer you freedom from a boss or a schedule that dictates to you. My personal feeling are the very best one is right up on the top right corner of this page. If your so inspired, click on that link and learn some more. How sweet would it be to go to the boss's office, knock on the door and say," Due to a reorganization of my priorities, I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you go." Or maybe you'd like to call in well....."Well, I can't see me coming in today, or tomorrow, or ever." If you want to break the bonds of job related tyranny, just click on the link below. Welcome to your future!
http://www.the-team.biz/mv1027000/tabid/148/Default.aspx
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Think about America back in the 1800's, up until the dawn of the industrial age in the early 1900's. Just about everyone was an entrepreneur! They all worked either on the family farm, or they had merchandize that supplied goods for that endeavor. Most were home schooled or taught in a little community school the necessary "learning" to survive in that environment. There were some employees but if you remember they were generally the undereducated, who loaded goods, swept up, or worked as ranch hands. Not your employee of today. So isn't it fair to say our earlier years almost everyone was in business for themselves, or what we call entrepreneurs? That lifestyle didn't offer much security, but you were your own boss and were as successful as your work ethic allowed. Your survival depended upon you.
Not so much today. We've been sold the plan to go to school, get good grades, go on to higher education, one focused around teaching you to become an employee, and landing a secure job. Or in a nut shell we've been trained to become employees, trading off the uncertainty of being an entrepreneur, for the security of a safe job, hopefully with benefits. Who sold us that bill of goods?
So instead of working for ourselves, setting our own schedule, and having unlimited earning potential. We've opted, in the name of security, to trade away our freedom. Now someone else tells us where to be, and at what time, when we can go to the bathroom, when we can eat lunch, and what time we can go home and enjoy time with our family. We've been convinced that the price of personal freedom was worth the security of a paycheck. We've put a price on freedom. So, how much was your's worth? Did you sell out cheap?
Well the good news is this is still the land of opportunity. We can break those bonds and be free. No longer do we have to have someone else determine what our time is worth. You can take personal responsibility for helping to mend the jobless situation, and donate your bondage to another. You can set your own pay, and decide when you want a promotion. You can choose the people you get to work with, and at what hours you perform our tasks. Make your schedule your own, and enjoy the freedom our country was founded upon, become an entrepreneur!
There are so many opportunities in this great country. Opportunities that offer you freedom from a boss or a schedule that dictates to you. My personal feeling are the very best one is right up on the top right corner of this page. If your so inspired, click on that link and learn some more. How sweet would it be to go to the boss's office, knock on the door and say," Due to a reorganization of my priorities, I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you go." Or maybe you'd like to call in well....."Well, I can't see me coming in today, or tomorrow, or ever." If you want to break the bonds of job related tyranny, just click on the link below. Welcome to your future!
http://www.the-team.biz/mv1027000/tabid/148/Default.aspx
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Friday, February 19, 2010
Today's Seminar!
This morning I'm packing my bags for the first TEAM leadership convention of 2010. While I'm not looking forward to the temperatures and the threat of snow in St. Louis this weekend, I am excited for the information that'll be passed on from successful entrepreneurs, six figure income earners with the "fruit on the tree." I've always loved the heart of the TEAM, there aren't many venues you can leave your valuables on your seat, surrounded by thirty thousand people, and return to find everything still there. That speaks volumes, and encourages me that there is still much good in our great nation. Three days of that kind of association can't help a human to want to be a better person. My cup will be overflowing with great information upon my return!
It's inspiring to see the age diversification. Parents realize early on the value of the TEAM's principles and how important it is to have their teens in that association. Let's be honest, there is a lot of, less than desirable influences, out there. Many come right from with in the family unit itself! It's refreshing to see young and old, people of every race and religion, from countries all over the world, join together and learn leadership and people skills. The value of being involved with TEAM/MONA VIE far outreaches the monetary rewards.
It's exciting to see those people in attendance light up with renewed hope in these questionable times. It's inspiring to spend time with leaders of character and integrity, unlike the poor excuses for leadership we send to Washington. It's safe to say the whole experience is polar opposite of the daily grind. These people are different, but in a good way. They offer hope and answers, they exude character and integrity, they, my friends, are the example.
How often have you had a multi-millionaire discuss with you financial principles, then apply them to your situation? When was the last time people shared people skills with you? How often have you thought about our role in the relationships in your life? What was the last time you read a book that changed your life? Who was the last person that was concerned about your health outside your physician? Have you ever seen thirty thousand people recite the Pledge of Allegiance, or join in a non-denominational prayer? It sends chills up your spine! This and real hope, is what my journey this weekend is all about!
I'll be the first to admit it's not for everyone. Sometimes I'm amazed at people. They complain, but refuse to take steps to improve their situation. We offer incomes that'd make a lawyer or a doctor take a hard look. In fact we have doctors and lawyers who've left their professions to do this! And there are no special skills or complicated training involved, just the want to do better and the ability to copy, ("C" students excel at this), copy a proven system, and listen to the advice of successful people. We have no ceiling on your income potential, and it discriminates against no one, the only one who determines your level of success is the person in the mirror each morning, you! You can finally have control over your life, your relationships, your health ,and your income. If I've peaked your curiosity, check out the link on the right of the page.
Seems I've drifted off here into a seminar. I best save the rest for my next Tuesday night open!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
It's inspiring to see the age diversification. Parents realize early on the value of the TEAM's principles and how important it is to have their teens in that association. Let's be honest, there is a lot of, less than desirable influences, out there. Many come right from with in the family unit itself! It's refreshing to see young and old, people of every race and religion, from countries all over the world, join together and learn leadership and people skills. The value of being involved with TEAM/MONA VIE far outreaches the monetary rewards.
It's exciting to see those people in attendance light up with renewed hope in these questionable times. It's inspiring to spend time with leaders of character and integrity, unlike the poor excuses for leadership we send to Washington. It's safe to say the whole experience is polar opposite of the daily grind. These people are different, but in a good way. They offer hope and answers, they exude character and integrity, they, my friends, are the example.
How often have you had a multi-millionaire discuss with you financial principles, then apply them to your situation? When was the last time people shared people skills with you? How often have you thought about our role in the relationships in your life? What was the last time you read a book that changed your life? Who was the last person that was concerned about your health outside your physician? Have you ever seen thirty thousand people recite the Pledge of Allegiance, or join in a non-denominational prayer? It sends chills up your spine! This and real hope, is what my journey this weekend is all about!
I'll be the first to admit it's not for everyone. Sometimes I'm amazed at people. They complain, but refuse to take steps to improve their situation. We offer incomes that'd make a lawyer or a doctor take a hard look. In fact we have doctors and lawyers who've left their professions to do this! And there are no special skills or complicated training involved, just the want to do better and the ability to copy, ("C" students excel at this), copy a proven system, and listen to the advice of successful people. We have no ceiling on your income potential, and it discriminates against no one, the only one who determines your level of success is the person in the mirror each morning, you! You can finally have control over your life, your relationships, your health ,and your income. If I've peaked your curiosity, check out the link on the right of the page.
Seems I've drifted off here into a seminar. I best save the rest for my next Tuesday night open!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Protect the Youth!
Glenn Beck noted this video on his show yesterday. It sparked my curiosity because I heard some disturbing things on the sound bytes he played. I'll post the link here so you can check it out yourself.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknHKTy1MLY
It's the progressive movement's attempt to lure our children toward their cause. I think the video speaks volumes for itself as to the heart of this movement. I went on a week long rant a few months ago in an attempt to expose the evil of these people, and now they are making a bold move to use propaganda to influence our youth. Isn't it telling they, like Hitler, or Marx, choose to target the youth for their revolution?
This video is full of half truths and flat out lies, but the most disturbing part is toward the end. A beautiful young blond girl looks angrily into the camera and says "We want to CONTROL the government." Talk about tyranny! That one statement says it all! This is simply about control. Our nation was designed so everyone could have a say in how it runs, not control it. People, they are threatening our freedom. A free society isn't under someone's control! Everyone has a fair and equal voice, to choose who they want to represent them.
It's our job as parents to correct this thinking. Thinking that was inspired by the improper teaching of history. Teaching that's learned through books brought into the school system, by these liberal progressive's. Books that skew the facts to fit their message.
They cite in this video Gen-We is smarter than their parents. That they are more technologically advanced than the previous generation. So just who invented the technology, brought it to market, and sold them these advancements? Last I looked Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs, the pioneers of Microsoft and Apple technology were my age, and I'm a dad of that generation.
They also cite our energy needs are fueled by imports from foreign nations, most of whom aren't friendly to the United States. Well, again more misinformation designed to sway our youth, taught to them by the progressive agenda. 80% of our oil imports are from Canada and Mexico. While they are foreign, they are hardly unfriendly. They are just marketing to us our own oil, drawn from deposits we could harvest, but the liberal progressive's use environmental concerns to prevent us from drilling. Then they demonize the big oil corporations for the evil profits they make. What they fail to mention is the federal government they want to "control" taxes us one hundred times that profit amount. So who's the real demon here? They'll never know because the message is, "controlled", by the progressives.
So you can see how important it is to take back our youth. Give them the facts and see if they come to the same conclusions. Even if they do, at least they had all the facts to draw upon. The world is a mess, but they are not pointing the finger at the problem. An informed vote is encouraged. So we need to pull the curtain back on the progressive agenda and expose the Hilary Clinton's, the Barbara Boxer's, and the rest of the progressive caucus in Washington. They need to know their freedom is at stake. "Control" isn't freedom, it's what our forefathers ran from, and fought for. Freedom isn't free, and they need to know it's earned.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vknHKTy1MLY
It's the progressive movement's attempt to lure our children toward their cause. I think the video speaks volumes for itself as to the heart of this movement. I went on a week long rant a few months ago in an attempt to expose the evil of these people, and now they are making a bold move to use propaganda to influence our youth. Isn't it telling they, like Hitler, or Marx, choose to target the youth for their revolution?
This video is full of half truths and flat out lies, but the most disturbing part is toward the end. A beautiful young blond girl looks angrily into the camera and says "We want to CONTROL the government." Talk about tyranny! That one statement says it all! This is simply about control. Our nation was designed so everyone could have a say in how it runs, not control it. People, they are threatening our freedom. A free society isn't under someone's control! Everyone has a fair and equal voice, to choose who they want to represent them.
It's our job as parents to correct this thinking. Thinking that was inspired by the improper teaching of history. Teaching that's learned through books brought into the school system, by these liberal progressive's. Books that skew the facts to fit their message.
They cite in this video Gen-We is smarter than their parents. That they are more technologically advanced than the previous generation. So just who invented the technology, brought it to market, and sold them these advancements? Last I looked Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs, the pioneers of Microsoft and Apple technology were my age, and I'm a dad of that generation.
They also cite our energy needs are fueled by imports from foreign nations, most of whom aren't friendly to the United States. Well, again more misinformation designed to sway our youth, taught to them by the progressive agenda. 80% of our oil imports are from Canada and Mexico. While they are foreign, they are hardly unfriendly. They are just marketing to us our own oil, drawn from deposits we could harvest, but the liberal progressive's use environmental concerns to prevent us from drilling. Then they demonize the big oil corporations for the evil profits they make. What they fail to mention is the federal government they want to "control" taxes us one hundred times that profit amount. So who's the real demon here? They'll never know because the message is, "controlled", by the progressives.
So you can see how important it is to take back our youth. Give them the facts and see if they come to the same conclusions. Even if they do, at least they had all the facts to draw upon. The world is a mess, but they are not pointing the finger at the problem. An informed vote is encouraged. So we need to pull the curtain back on the progressive agenda and expose the Hilary Clinton's, the Barbara Boxer's, and the rest of the progressive caucus in Washington. They need to know their freedom is at stake. "Control" isn't freedom, it's what our forefathers ran from, and fought for. Freedom isn't free, and they need to know it's earned.
God Bless!
Capt. Bill
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Like Rats off a Sinking Ship!
Has anyone else noticed democratic politicians are falling by the wayside? Some have retired, some have been recalled by their maker, some just choose to not run for office again. In any case it's been a tad rough to be a democrat of late. I also find it interesting this phenomenon hasn't affected the other side of the isle. Nary a republican has fallen by the wayside, in fact one democrat has jumped the fence and joined the republican party. It's quite the cause for wonder!
As they depart most complain the partisan bickering is quite intolerable. The democratic party would have you believe that's between the two parties, but I think it's a little deeper. First of all the democrats control both houses of Congress, and can pass anything they desire without the cooperation of the republican's vote. So that complaint is just a moot point. I feel the divide is partisan in nature but coming from within the democratic party itself. The extreme liberal left is off on an agenda that the traditional democrats just can't agree with. Those democrats of our father's generation are diametrically opposed to the direction this administration is headed. They see their love for the common blue collar voter, trumped by a move toward a European socialism, polar opposite of the Constitutional principles they took an oath to uphold. So rather than stand and fight for the platform the democrats have believed in for centuries, they just slink away, bowing to the pressure of the extreme left.
Here's my problem, aside from the obvious blaming of the other party when it's an internal issue. They are screaming fire after they've burned the house down. Where was the dissent when they were voting for healthcare and cap and trade? Personally I wouldn't want my name affixed to any of the dismantling of the republic our fore father's bequeathed us. Really, is that how you want history to remember you? Before you cower away, fix your mess! I have no problem with you stepping aside so we can find leaders with backbone to replace you. There is a movement in this country to get back to our founding principles, and frankly, your just in it's way. But do history a favor and remove your support from the attempt to ruin this country!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
As they depart most complain the partisan bickering is quite intolerable. The democratic party would have you believe that's between the two parties, but I think it's a little deeper. First of all the democrats control both houses of Congress, and can pass anything they desire without the cooperation of the republican's vote. So that complaint is just a moot point. I feel the divide is partisan in nature but coming from within the democratic party itself. The extreme liberal left is off on an agenda that the traditional democrats just can't agree with. Those democrats of our father's generation are diametrically opposed to the direction this administration is headed. They see their love for the common blue collar voter, trumped by a move toward a European socialism, polar opposite of the Constitutional principles they took an oath to uphold. So rather than stand and fight for the platform the democrats have believed in for centuries, they just slink away, bowing to the pressure of the extreme left.
Here's my problem, aside from the obvious blaming of the other party when it's an internal issue. They are screaming fire after they've burned the house down. Where was the dissent when they were voting for healthcare and cap and trade? Personally I wouldn't want my name affixed to any of the dismantling of the republic our fore father's bequeathed us. Really, is that how you want history to remember you? Before you cower away, fix your mess! I have no problem with you stepping aside so we can find leaders with backbone to replace you. There is a movement in this country to get back to our founding principles, and frankly, your just in it's way. But do history a favor and remove your support from the attempt to ruin this country!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Try This for an Icebreaker!
I was just reading Al Gore's blog, as I was wondering with all this "unusual" weather, just what his views were. It's not his character to be silent, so I thought I'd see what kind of spin he's put on things. Especially since the lead UN climatologist just announced to the BBC news organization, that the better part of his data is either false or inaccurate.
So what does ole Al have to say? Well it appears that things are worse off in his eyes than initially reported. On scene reports from an Arctic icebreaker ship tell us that the density of the ice is not as thick as satellite images are revealing. You see the reports they relied so heavily on, images from space, were also discredited, as there was a glitch that overlooked ice cap growth the size of Alaska. So in rebuttal Al has chosen the eye witness accounts of an icebreaker ship. Not density scans, not fact, just some hearsay from a single ship, traveling in an undefined limited area. Beautiful!
Now as Al's putting his spin on this, as recently as 2/10/10, reports are surfacing that the earth has in fact not warmed since 1995. The same scientist who led the UN report is rebutting his own data. Admitting that most of it is in error, and now contradicting the claim that as Al puts it.... "the climate crisis is unfolding before our eyes." But that's not slowing Al down a bit! There is money to be made from this "crisis", Al has bet the farm on earth friendly technology. Which by the way is not a bad thing, but again, this is a crisis generated by Al to line his pockets. If there was no sense of urgency it might take decades for his profit to be realized.
So, I think it's plain, the only thing true about the climate crisis, is the crisis itself is man-made, and perpetuated by the economic factor. Follow the money!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
So what does ole Al have to say? Well it appears that things are worse off in his eyes than initially reported. On scene reports from an Arctic icebreaker ship tell us that the density of the ice is not as thick as satellite images are revealing. You see the reports they relied so heavily on, images from space, were also discredited, as there was a glitch that overlooked ice cap growth the size of Alaska. So in rebuttal Al has chosen the eye witness accounts of an icebreaker ship. Not density scans, not fact, just some hearsay from a single ship, traveling in an undefined limited area. Beautiful!
Now as Al's putting his spin on this, as recently as 2/10/10, reports are surfacing that the earth has in fact not warmed since 1995. The same scientist who led the UN report is rebutting his own data. Admitting that most of it is in error, and now contradicting the claim that as Al puts it.... "the climate crisis is unfolding before our eyes." But that's not slowing Al down a bit! There is money to be made from this "crisis", Al has bet the farm on earth friendly technology. Which by the way is not a bad thing, but again, this is a crisis generated by Al to line his pockets. If there was no sense of urgency it might take decades for his profit to be realized.
So, I think it's plain, the only thing true about the climate crisis, is the crisis itself is man-made, and perpetuated by the economic factor. Follow the money!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Monday, February 15, 2010
Round and Round We Go!
I listened to the pundits Sunday as they played their game of political chess, I have to say I wasn't impressed. For an administration of elite scholars, they sure seem off in left field most of the time. Like this climate thing they are pushing. Everything is a spin, the facts are skewed, if it snows it's because of the global warming thing. If it doesn't snow it's also because of the global warming thing. Let me interject some common sense.
One of the key arguments this week is because of global warming the United States is seeing record snowfall. You see they claim the rise in temperatures has deposited more moisture in the atmosphere, so by this logic we have more snow. Now the oceans temp would have to increase if this evaporation were to occur, and from my offshore experience it takes a lot of extended periods of heat or cold to make oceans react, thermally. Consequently it takes equal time for it to act in reverse. So if it heated up enough to evaporate, the warmth would be residual, at least for a season. So why are the coast lines receiving snow? The beaches, because of the proximity to the water,(which is slower to cool) rarely get snow. It's like having a electric blanket, yet the beaches along the east coast have been hammered with snowfall. This is not characteristic of normal winter precipitation, and an indicator their argument is full of holes.
I also listen as they reported that 2009 was the second warmest year on record. Personally I'd like to know where? If my memory serves me correctly, and it does, it was unseasonably cool this summer. Not just here in Florida but up north too. Most everyone I talked to this summer didn't get summer like conditions until almost August. We have short memories, but not that short. We had no hurricane season because the oceans that supply the humidity to insight this weather didn't warm enough. I guess they think we'd forget a hurricane free summer season, because we were focused on the over abundance of snow assaulting our country. 49 out of 50 states are looking at these climate people after seeing some form of snow and wondering if they are really serious.
My final point, and one they never bring up, ends this entire argument. The United Nation's own report on climate change tells us, buried deep under a mountain of paper work, that a study showed the reported temperature rise they are worried about, occurred prior to the rise of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. I mean I'm no PHD, but if man made climate change is based on man made carbon emissions, shouldn't the emissions go up prior to the temperature? Really, to affect the weather, it has to happen first. Unless they choose to argue the weather anticipated the rise in carbon emissions and acted on it's own. Either way the argument is moot.
So if I may sum this up, in a nut shell, man made climate change is a load of hooey. If there wasn't a way to economically profit from this man made disaster, (I'm speaking about the made up part), there would be no issue. Follow the money people!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
One of the key arguments this week is because of global warming the United States is seeing record snowfall. You see they claim the rise in temperatures has deposited more moisture in the atmosphere, so by this logic we have more snow. Now the oceans temp would have to increase if this evaporation were to occur, and from my offshore experience it takes a lot of extended periods of heat or cold to make oceans react, thermally. Consequently it takes equal time for it to act in reverse. So if it heated up enough to evaporate, the warmth would be residual, at least for a season. So why are the coast lines receiving snow? The beaches, because of the proximity to the water,(which is slower to cool) rarely get snow. It's like having a electric blanket, yet the beaches along the east coast have been hammered with snowfall. This is not characteristic of normal winter precipitation, and an indicator their argument is full of holes.
I also listen as they reported that 2009 was the second warmest year on record. Personally I'd like to know where? If my memory serves me correctly, and it does, it was unseasonably cool this summer. Not just here in Florida but up north too. Most everyone I talked to this summer didn't get summer like conditions until almost August. We have short memories, but not that short. We had no hurricane season because the oceans that supply the humidity to insight this weather didn't warm enough. I guess they think we'd forget a hurricane free summer season, because we were focused on the over abundance of snow assaulting our country. 49 out of 50 states are looking at these climate people after seeing some form of snow and wondering if they are really serious.
My final point, and one they never bring up, ends this entire argument. The United Nation's own report on climate change tells us, buried deep under a mountain of paper work, that a study showed the reported temperature rise they are worried about, occurred prior to the rise of carbon emissions in the atmosphere. I mean I'm no PHD, but if man made climate change is based on man made carbon emissions, shouldn't the emissions go up prior to the temperature? Really, to affect the weather, it has to happen first. Unless they choose to argue the weather anticipated the rise in carbon emissions and acted on it's own. Either way the argument is moot.
So if I may sum this up, in a nut shell, man made climate change is a load of hooey. If there wasn't a way to economically profit from this man made disaster, (I'm speaking about the made up part), there would be no issue. Follow the money people!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Sunday, February 14, 2010
A Valentine Wish!
February 14th, 2010 Saint Valentines day. Note the Saint. Isn't Hallmark lucky the politically correct haven't gotten a hold of this celebration. Or have they? Ignoring this is a religious holiday we've shortened it to Valentines day. Here's the history...
Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day)[1][2][3] is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.[1][3] The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The holiday first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. (Wikipedia)
Boy, would that information put the politically correct shorts in a wad? I can see them now outside the Hallmark store with their signs and megaphones. Vehemently protesting the religious connotations of the day we celebrate love. Just like they try to take the Christ out of Christmas, society removed the Saint out of Saint Valentines day.
I found it interesting that our historical ties to Britain influences this day as well. Check this out.....
The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th century America, where many Valentine cards are now general greeting cards rather than declarations of love, was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.[5] It's considered one of the Hallmark holidays.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend on average twice as much money as women (Wikipedia)
I added that little ditty about the commercialization on the end there. I know all choleric women will never let a man outspend them, so I'll expect lavish gifts from any and all of the choleric females I know. Guess I better clean the garage today so I have space for the new car! I'll get back to you on how that challenge worked out!
All kidding aside, and I was kidding, I'd rather have cash or precious gems. Happy Valentines day gang! I love sharing with you, and I hope you have a wonderful day! Don't forget to tell someone you love them, you may never get another chance. There is nothing so precious as the love one has for another, guard it with respect and cherish it always. There is no greater gift than your love, to be without love is my definition of hell. Thanks for sharing.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Saint Valentine's Day (commonly shortened to Valentine's Day)[1][2][3] is an annual holiday held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions.[1][3] The holiday is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496. It is traditionally a day on which lovers express their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery, and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines"). The holiday first became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in the High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished. (Wikipedia)
Boy, would that information put the politically correct shorts in a wad? I can see them now outside the Hallmark store with their signs and megaphones. Vehemently protesting the religious connotations of the day we celebrate love. Just like they try to take the Christ out of Christmas, society removed the Saint out of Saint Valentines day.
I found it interesting that our historical ties to Britain influences this day as well. Check this out.....
The sending of Valentines was a fashion in nineteenth-century Great Britain, and, in 1847, Esther Howland developed a successful business in her Worcester, Massachusetts home with hand-made Valentine cards based on British models. The popularity of Valentine cards in 19th century America, where many Valentine cards are now general greeting cards rather than declarations of love, was a harbinger of the future commercialization of holidays in the United States.[5] It's considered one of the Hallmark holidays.
The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year, behind Christmas. The association estimates that, in the US, men spend on average twice as much money as women (Wikipedia)
I added that little ditty about the commercialization on the end there. I know all choleric women will never let a man outspend them, so I'll expect lavish gifts from any and all of the choleric females I know. Guess I better clean the garage today so I have space for the new car! I'll get back to you on how that challenge worked out!
All kidding aside, and I was kidding, I'd rather have cash or precious gems. Happy Valentines day gang! I love sharing with you, and I hope you have a wonderful day! Don't forget to tell someone you love them, you may never get another chance. There is nothing so precious as the love one has for another, guard it with respect and cherish it always. There is no greater gift than your love, to be without love is my definition of hell. Thanks for sharing.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Saturday, February 13, 2010
A Question of Integrity!
There is bound to be a myriad of candidates in the upcoming election cycle. Voters are just not happy with the status quo, and many are unsatisfied with their current representation. The shift in power in Washington has revealed some closet socialist, emboldened by a majority rule.
So how do we vet out the posers and decide who's the real deal? That's a great question, I'm glad you asked! We are all a little gun shy after the last voting catastrophe, after all we got change we weren't looking for. So I think it's important to listen to every word a candidate says, and make sure the message is consistent. If our getting conflicting messages at different venues, it's not something to overlook. That's the sign of a flip flopper, someone who votes the poles, not with principles. We need representation that stands for principles and is backed by the character and integrity necessary to withstand opposition. With a flip flopper you get someone who's likely to sell his vote for pork or vote an opinion poll to keep his job. We need politicians who can make the hard choices. We are going to have to make some difficult decisions to remain solvent financially in this country, and it's going to take politicians with backbone to do it. Trust me it's not going to be popular. No one likes to tighten their belt.
Another great method to weed out those who lack the qualities we seek is to look back on their life. What have they accomplished? Were they stand out leaders, or did they just vote present? Do they exude the track record of someone we'd follow? Are they the of the same integrity in the dark as they are in the spot light? These are all telling questions when answered. Mini scandals are precursors to bigger problems down the road. When faced with bigger integrity issues, they will have a tougher time staying the course. We were warned of issues with the current administration, but America was forgiving, and overlooked the obvious. Personality won our favor.
No one can, or should tell you how to vote. Just ask the right questions and seek answers, and we'll be fine. A great decider is to ask; Would I trust this individual in my home alone, or with my family? I'm looking for a few good politicians (is that an oxymoron?), who have the character and integrity to do the right thing, even when no one is looking, and the backbone to accept responsibility. Blaming others never gets the job done. Owning the problem is the key to solutions.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
So how do we vet out the posers and decide who's the real deal? That's a great question, I'm glad you asked! We are all a little gun shy after the last voting catastrophe, after all we got change we weren't looking for. So I think it's important to listen to every word a candidate says, and make sure the message is consistent. If our getting conflicting messages at different venues, it's not something to overlook. That's the sign of a flip flopper, someone who votes the poles, not with principles. We need representation that stands for principles and is backed by the character and integrity necessary to withstand opposition. With a flip flopper you get someone who's likely to sell his vote for pork or vote an opinion poll to keep his job. We need politicians who can make the hard choices. We are going to have to make some difficult decisions to remain solvent financially in this country, and it's going to take politicians with backbone to do it. Trust me it's not going to be popular. No one likes to tighten their belt.
Another great method to weed out those who lack the qualities we seek is to look back on their life. What have they accomplished? Were they stand out leaders, or did they just vote present? Do they exude the track record of someone we'd follow? Are they the of the same integrity in the dark as they are in the spot light? These are all telling questions when answered. Mini scandals are precursors to bigger problems down the road. When faced with bigger integrity issues, they will have a tougher time staying the course. We were warned of issues with the current administration, but America was forgiving, and overlooked the obvious. Personality won our favor.
No one can, or should tell you how to vote. Just ask the right questions and seek answers, and we'll be fine. A great decider is to ask; Would I trust this individual in my home alone, or with my family? I'm looking for a few good politicians (is that an oxymoron?), who have the character and integrity to do the right thing, even when no one is looking, and the backbone to accept responsibility. Blaming others never gets the job done. Owning the problem is the key to solutions.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Friday, February 12, 2010
American Pride!
Well, my heart is filled with joy this morning, you see the phone rang last night about 6:30 and my son was on the other end when I answered. He was calling to inform me that he and his unit of brave men and women were back on US soil, returning from their year long deployment in Afghanistan. I'm not sure anyone but a parent or a spouse can understand the relief that phone call administered.
The highlight of the long journey was brought on by complete strangers. Their trek began in Afghanistan where they took a junket flight to Kuwait. From Kuwait they boarded a plane to Germany, then on to New Hampshire. Upon arrival in New Hampshire the entire unit was greeted by 250 complete strangers, cheering and waving American flags. Apparently it's a program these patriots have devised, as their airport is the entry point for soldiers returning from overseas. They served beverages and food and make the troops feel welcome back home. It's amazing because none of the family members knew if and when the unit would return, but somehow these wonderful people get the info and are there to be the first to express their gratitude. The Sarge said they were all overwhelmed with emotion to receive such a hero's welcome before boarding their flight on to Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas for dismissal sometime this week.
That my friends is the spirit that our country was founded upon, and the giving that keeps this country great. I'm sure they feel their sacrifice is small compared to the sacrifice our troops make, but I hope they understand how important their work is. Imagine you've been away from the country and the people you love for over a year. You return to America, happy and relieved to out of the danger, set to face another unfamiliar airport after a long series of flights and layovers. You look forward to arriving at the fort you left from yearning for some familiarity, but first this layover in a state you've likely never even visited. I'd imagine your looking to fulfill your longing to eat some of our fast food, and make phone calls to announce your arrival. Then there they stand, the welcoming committee! Flags waving, hands clapping, the cheering, and the smiles, all from strangers who took the time out of their evening to say, Thanks! I hope they know what gratifying work they do!
Now it's my turn to say thanks. Thanks, for reminding those soldiers what a great spirit the country they defend has. Thanks, for being the comfort we can't yet be for our loved ones. Thanks, for being the example of patriotism and civic duty. Thanks to the soldiers we deployed who risk their lives, so we don't have to. Thanks, for defending our freedom and keeping us safe. Thanks, for your unselfish act. And lastly Thank God, for the safe return of all of you. The brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters, the fathers and daughters, and the nephews and nieces we lent to keep freedom free.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
The highlight of the long journey was brought on by complete strangers. Their trek began in Afghanistan where they took a junket flight to Kuwait. From Kuwait they boarded a plane to Germany, then on to New Hampshire. Upon arrival in New Hampshire the entire unit was greeted by 250 complete strangers, cheering and waving American flags. Apparently it's a program these patriots have devised, as their airport is the entry point for soldiers returning from overseas. They served beverages and food and make the troops feel welcome back home. It's amazing because none of the family members knew if and when the unit would return, but somehow these wonderful people get the info and are there to be the first to express their gratitude. The Sarge said they were all overwhelmed with emotion to receive such a hero's welcome before boarding their flight on to Ft. Bliss, El Paso, Texas for dismissal sometime this week.
That my friends is the spirit that our country was founded upon, and the giving that keeps this country great. I'm sure they feel their sacrifice is small compared to the sacrifice our troops make, but I hope they understand how important their work is. Imagine you've been away from the country and the people you love for over a year. You return to America, happy and relieved to out of the danger, set to face another unfamiliar airport after a long series of flights and layovers. You look forward to arriving at the fort you left from yearning for some familiarity, but first this layover in a state you've likely never even visited. I'd imagine your looking to fulfill your longing to eat some of our fast food, and make phone calls to announce your arrival. Then there they stand, the welcoming committee! Flags waving, hands clapping, the cheering, and the smiles, all from strangers who took the time out of their evening to say, Thanks! I hope they know what gratifying work they do!
Now it's my turn to say thanks. Thanks, for reminding those soldiers what a great spirit the country they defend has. Thanks, for being the comfort we can't yet be for our loved ones. Thanks, for being the example of patriotism and civic duty. Thanks to the soldiers we deployed who risk their lives, so we don't have to. Thanks, for defending our freedom and keeping us safe. Thanks, for your unselfish act. And lastly Thank God, for the safe return of all of you. The brothers and sisters, the sons and daughters, the fathers and daughters, and the nephews and nieces we lent to keep freedom free.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Social "Security?"
Here's an eye opener brought to you by FDR... the enactment of the Social Security entitlement, one of his "New Deals". When entering the work force the government insists you to pay 7.5% of your gross income, (15% if your self employed), toward your retirement fund. According to the Social Security calculator if you earned the average median income ($47,000/yr) till age 67 your benefit check from The Social Security Administration, would be a whopping $1581.00/ month, assuming you began working this year,(2010). Note; This figure doesn't account for inflation nor raises in income. So after paying out $7050.00/ year for 45 years ($317,250 total) the government would pay you back $18,972.00/ year, till you die. Sounds like a great deal huh? The average life span for an American male is 73, while American women are expected to survive to 79. So if your a male they would pay out an average of $132,804 and a woman would receive $227,664.00. Kind of makes you take pause here and wonder why this fund is going bankrupt.
Now had you invested that money (15% of $47,000/year or $7050.00) and collected say 6%. Your gross retirement fund would be......$1,638,127.93 by the retirement age of 67. I don't know about you but this is a considerable increase in your standard of retirement living and a classic example of how the private sector does a much better job than the government. Let's say you survived to age 100, you could use a benefit of $49,640/year, assuming the money never earned another dime of interest. So who's plan do you like better? The evil capitalist free market solution to retirement, or the socialist program forced upon us by FDR and his progressive agenda?
This private investment is exactly what former President Bush proposed to aid the social security into solvency. It was met with harsh criticism. Citizens were afraid to gamble their retirement investment in the ever volatile stock market, again led by misinformation. There are many secure investments that would return that 6%, like tax free government bonds, treasury bills.
So why is the Social Security system so broke? From the above formula it seems like it could sustain itself indefinitely. Well the major problem is the federal government "borrowed"/stole the excess. They chose this route so as not to raise your taxes to cover their shortfall. They figured their would always be people paying in enough to cover the pay outs needed. Wrong! People are living longer and the baby boomers who initially created the surplus are about to retire. So less money coming in can't keep up with the demands going out. So another well intentioned government entitlement ends up a financial mess.
Now the lesson here is....The government believes it's citizen's are incapable of being disciplined enough to provide for themselves, so they have to step in and be the nanny. People mistakenly accept the meager return on a secure government program because it offers them security. ANYTIME YOU OPT FOR SECURITY FROM THE GOVERNMENT YOU SACRIFICE A PIECE OF YOUR FREEDOM. How many more options do you have with a retirement fund that pays you a million six over a government run one that pays you one hundred thirty two thousand. It sounds to me like you'd have more options (freedom) with the first plan. Another good question to ask yourself is; Just how secure is a government program that's running this far in the red? We are told everyday it's not sustainable and on the verge of collapse. Remember the saying is; "In God we trust", not the government.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Sources; Social Security benefit calculator web site, Wikipedia, and the savings calculator web site.
Now had you invested that money (15% of $47,000/year or $7050.00) and collected say 6%. Your gross retirement fund would be......$1,638,127.93 by the retirement age of 67. I don't know about you but this is a considerable increase in your standard of retirement living and a classic example of how the private sector does a much better job than the government. Let's say you survived to age 100, you could use a benefit of $49,640/year, assuming the money never earned another dime of interest. So who's plan do you like better? The evil capitalist free market solution to retirement, or the socialist program forced upon us by FDR and his progressive agenda?
This private investment is exactly what former President Bush proposed to aid the social security into solvency. It was met with harsh criticism. Citizens were afraid to gamble their retirement investment in the ever volatile stock market, again led by misinformation. There are many secure investments that would return that 6%, like tax free government bonds, treasury bills.
So why is the Social Security system so broke? From the above formula it seems like it could sustain itself indefinitely. Well the major problem is the federal government "borrowed"/stole the excess. They chose this route so as not to raise your taxes to cover their shortfall. They figured their would always be people paying in enough to cover the pay outs needed. Wrong! People are living longer and the baby boomers who initially created the surplus are about to retire. So less money coming in can't keep up with the demands going out. So another well intentioned government entitlement ends up a financial mess.
Now the lesson here is....The government believes it's citizen's are incapable of being disciplined enough to provide for themselves, so they have to step in and be the nanny. People mistakenly accept the meager return on a secure government program because it offers them security. ANYTIME YOU OPT FOR SECURITY FROM THE GOVERNMENT YOU SACRIFICE A PIECE OF YOUR FREEDOM. How many more options do you have with a retirement fund that pays you a million six over a government run one that pays you one hundred thirty two thousand. It sounds to me like you'd have more options (freedom) with the first plan. Another good question to ask yourself is; Just how secure is a government program that's running this far in the red? We are told everyday it's not sustainable and on the verge of collapse. Remember the saying is; "In God we trust", not the government.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Sources; Social Security benefit calculator web site, Wikipedia, and the savings calculator web site.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Timeless Questions!
The president has decided he needs republican support to move his health care agenda forward. The two democratic majority's in Congress failed to find common ground, and now with the election of Scott Brown (R) the democrat's unstoppable majority has been lampooned. You see when you give one party complete power it causes corruption. Thank God they couldn't agree on a compromise and meld those two monstrosity's together.
It's ironic they have to turn to the republicans to find the votes needed to accomplish anything healthcare wise, after they snubbed them in the original process.
Here's where they erred. They became so heady with power, democrats worked as individuals, pushing completely different agendas. After all there was no way the republicans could stop them. They failed to see they were their own worse enemies. What a wonderful lesson in cooperation, or lack of it. The democrats were riddled with selfish gluttony and the result speaks for itself. And we the American people are the beneficiaries, the government to date, has yet to be expanded beyond our forefathers intentions.
Now to seek compromise, we, as well as Congress need to begin with the end in mind. The main question they should ask themselves about any proposal is; "How does this move us closer to our intended outcome?" If the proposal doesn't provide a direct path to the solution they seek it needs to be scrapped. Boy, wouldn't that condense those bills! The second question they need to ask is; "Is this a win/win proposal?" Again these bills would be a whole lot lighter if this consideration was adopted. Every written law should be a win/win or no deal. Another great question ,but one Congress often overlooks is; "Does this usurp the authority granted to us by the Constitution?" Wait, maybe we should have asked that question first, because the answer ends this conversation!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
It's ironic they have to turn to the republicans to find the votes needed to accomplish anything healthcare wise, after they snubbed them in the original process.
Here's where they erred. They became so heady with power, democrats worked as individuals, pushing completely different agendas. After all there was no way the republicans could stop them. They failed to see they were their own worse enemies. What a wonderful lesson in cooperation, or lack of it. The democrats were riddled with selfish gluttony and the result speaks for itself. And we the American people are the beneficiaries, the government to date, has yet to be expanded beyond our forefathers intentions.
Now to seek compromise, we, as well as Congress need to begin with the end in mind. The main question they should ask themselves about any proposal is; "How does this move us closer to our intended outcome?" If the proposal doesn't provide a direct path to the solution they seek it needs to be scrapped. Boy, wouldn't that condense those bills! The second question they need to ask is; "Is this a win/win proposal?" Again these bills would be a whole lot lighter if this consideration was adopted. Every written law should be a win/win or no deal. Another great question ,but one Congress often overlooks is; "Does this usurp the authority granted to us by the Constitution?" Wait, maybe we should have asked that question first, because the answer ends this conversation!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Headlines From Page Four!
I've often said, "What your life counts for is summarized when they all gather around the potato salad and remember you for what you did." This is your legacy and how and what you'll be remembered for. So it might do legislators some good to examine how John Murtha, the democratic representative from Pennsylvania is being treated today. You see he passed on to the other side yesterday, after an infection from gall bladder surgery overcame him.
First let me say I was never a fan of Murtha, in fact he was in my eyes an embarrassment to the state I was born in. When I saw the headlines and where they were placed today I was flabbergasted! AOL, for instance had it listed this way....
New Cause For Worry For Soda Drinkers
Rural Haitians Still Plead For Aid
White House Takes On Junk Food
Rep. Mutha's Legacy Remembered
Wow, talk about a pecking order! The article was no less flattering....
But with his death today at the age of 77, Murtha's legacy will also be encapsulated in one of the many questionable pork projects he left behind: the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, a little-used Pennsylvania airport that benefited from some $200 million of congressional funding, largely thanks to Murtha's earmarks.
The airport – almost as famous as former Sen. Ted Stevens' bridge to nowhere in Alaska – became notorious as a symbol of abuse of the congressional earmark process and helped dub Murtha as one the original "kings of pork." Murtha, for his part, was unapologetic for his role in sending federal money to his Pennsylvania district, which included millions of dollars he steered to local defense firms.
He defended his appropriations even as the FBI investigated PMA Group, a lobbyist firm that benefited from his earmarks. After all, Murtha had survived previous investigations, including a videotaped meeting in 1980 in which he was offered – and turned down – a $50,000 bribe.
Now if I was an elected official I'd have to reflect about right now on how I'd like to be remembered. Cause frankly...This ain't it! This eulogy should be a sobering wake up call to politicians everywhere. What would your headlines say? And what page would they be on?
What a sad testimony to a life and a career. I can't help but feel for his family, it's a terrible loss, but then to face this as well! I'd like to be remembered as an example not a lesson. I hope this message gets through those thick skulls in Washington, this is not a tribute! "When you look back on your life, you should be proud of all of it!" (Chris Brady)
God Bless
Capt. Bill
First let me say I was never a fan of Murtha, in fact he was in my eyes an embarrassment to the state I was born in. When I saw the headlines and where they were placed today I was flabbergasted! AOL, for instance had it listed this way....
New Cause For Worry For Soda Drinkers
Rural Haitians Still Plead For Aid
White House Takes On Junk Food
Rep. Mutha's Legacy Remembered
Wow, talk about a pecking order! The article was no less flattering....
But with his death today at the age of 77, Murtha's legacy will also be encapsulated in one of the many questionable pork projects he left behind: the John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport, a little-used Pennsylvania airport that benefited from some $200 million of congressional funding, largely thanks to Murtha's earmarks.
The airport – almost as famous as former Sen. Ted Stevens' bridge to nowhere in Alaska – became notorious as a symbol of abuse of the congressional earmark process and helped dub Murtha as one the original "kings of pork." Murtha, for his part, was unapologetic for his role in sending federal money to his Pennsylvania district, which included millions of dollars he steered to local defense firms.
He defended his appropriations even as the FBI investigated PMA Group, a lobbyist firm that benefited from his earmarks. After all, Murtha had survived previous investigations, including a videotaped meeting in 1980 in which he was offered – and turned down – a $50,000 bribe.
Now if I was an elected official I'd have to reflect about right now on how I'd like to be remembered. Cause frankly...This ain't it! This eulogy should be a sobering wake up call to politicians everywhere. What would your headlines say? And what page would they be on?
What a sad testimony to a life and a career. I can't help but feel for his family, it's a terrible loss, but then to face this as well! I'd like to be remembered as an example not a lesson. I hope this message gets through those thick skulls in Washington, this is not a tribute! "When you look back on your life, you should be proud of all of it!" (Chris Brady)
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Monday, February 8, 2010
Out of the Mouth of Babes!
My youngest son has a college course that demands he participate in a discussion (blog) on line with other classmates. The course is about capitalism, and the topics are usually very political. The professor's intent appears to be to get the students to be capable of stating their opinion and defending it. Or as Tim Marks says; "Know what you believe and why you believe it." My son shared with me this posting, and I thought it would be a great idea to show you how confused our youth are....
There is an extremely thin line that divides 'anarchy' from 'limited government'. Who is in charge of differentiating federal matters from state matters? Do we put our faith in the people, who as individuals are corrupt? There would never be an end to that argument. Do we hand the question over to the federal government, who through their socialist ways, manipulate the constitution to their liking? Or do we leave the differentiating to the states; exactly as was intended by the constitution. If the latter is chosen, I truly believe there would be anarchy. There are 50 states in this great union. That means 50 different opinions, views, choices, governments, laws, etc. With all the controversy regarding gay marriage and legal marijuana, think of the dismay our country could be in if every state completely governed itself. How long would the union last? Soon enough, the United States Constitution would dissolve, and providences would emerge. The once greatest nation would be merely 10 or 20 different nations. Without the federal government keeping the states together, this is what we can look forward to.
Anybody else see a problem here? What a confused young man! I can't help but think this is a result of a lack of understanding of how we got to be this great nation. The school system has failed to explained to this young man how our ancestors boarded ships of questionable reliability, and circumnavigated uncharted waters, to escape a tyranny that defined what religion they could practice, and taxed them unmercifully. They've not instilled the passion for freedom our forefathers held when they defied the greatest fighting force on earth, with meager armament, to demand our freedom. Hundreds of thousands of people died in those battles so we can live as we do today. It was similar to one of us standing before a tank with a bottle rocket defiantly demanding our freedom. He doesn't understand how we fought among ourselves, for the freedom of a race of enslaved humans, creating one of the biggest bloodbaths in history, all in the name of a free nation.
What he doesn't understand is why states wouldn't want to operate outside of the communist like oversight of a controlling federal government. His mind manufactures chaos because we are not strictly governed, and told what our parameters are. This is the product of our government's interference within our school system. This is how some of the youth of America thinks. This my friends is why we are a country leaning toward the nanny state protection of socialism. This, people, is the next battle we face to preserve our freedom.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
There is an extremely thin line that divides 'anarchy' from 'limited government'. Who is in charge of differentiating federal matters from state matters? Do we put our faith in the people, who as individuals are corrupt? There would never be an end to that argument. Do we hand the question over to the federal government, who through their socialist ways, manipulate the constitution to their liking? Or do we leave the differentiating to the states; exactly as was intended by the constitution. If the latter is chosen, I truly believe there would be anarchy. There are 50 states in this great union. That means 50 different opinions, views, choices, governments, laws, etc. With all the controversy regarding gay marriage and legal marijuana, think of the dismay our country could be in if every state completely governed itself. How long would the union last? Soon enough, the United States Constitution would dissolve, and providences would emerge. The once greatest nation would be merely 10 or 20 different nations. Without the federal government keeping the states together, this is what we can look forward to.
Anybody else see a problem here? What a confused young man! I can't help but think this is a result of a lack of understanding of how we got to be this great nation. The school system has failed to explained to this young man how our ancestors boarded ships of questionable reliability, and circumnavigated uncharted waters, to escape a tyranny that defined what religion they could practice, and taxed them unmercifully. They've not instilled the passion for freedom our forefathers held when they defied the greatest fighting force on earth, with meager armament, to demand our freedom. Hundreds of thousands of people died in those battles so we can live as we do today. It was similar to one of us standing before a tank with a bottle rocket defiantly demanding our freedom. He doesn't understand how we fought among ourselves, for the freedom of a race of enslaved humans, creating one of the biggest bloodbaths in history, all in the name of a free nation.
What he doesn't understand is why states wouldn't want to operate outside of the communist like oversight of a controlling federal government. His mind manufactures chaos because we are not strictly governed, and told what our parameters are. This is the product of our government's interference within our school system. This is how some of the youth of America thinks. This my friends is why we are a country leaning toward the nanny state protection of socialism. This, people, is the next battle we face to preserve our freedom.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Economic Growth?
The other day I was inspired by the news that the gross domestic product (GDP) showed positive growth...
The real U.S. GDP (gross domestic product), which represents the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S., picked up the pace of positive growth that began in Q3 2009 by expanding 5.7% in Q4 2009, according to the first estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
By growing for two consecutive quarters, the GDP appears to be clearly reversing the course it had taken in the previous three financial quarters with decreases of 0.7% in Q2 2009, 6.1% in Q1 2009 and 6.3% in Q4 2008.
As you can see the media is all agog as was I initially, but then I was inspired to dig a little deeper. I vaguely remember from high school what the GDP's definition was and it's parameters, so I checked it out. Here's what I found....
GDP = private consumption + gross investment + government spending + (exports − imports)
(Wikipedia)
Note the third factor in the equation, government spending. It would be tough to top the 800 billion dollar increase by the Bush administration in 2008 but this administration has far exceeded that milestone. The expansion of government alone in 2009 should have pushed the GDP through the roof.US News and World Report has noted 10's of thousands will be hired to administrate the government side of this spending alone (again skewing the unemployment numbers). And then there is the discretionary spending.....
The president signed an Omnibus spending bill that raised discretionary spending by 8%, contained 9,287 pork projects costing $13 billion, and spent $123 billion on programs for which government auditors can find no evidence of success.
So are these GPD numbers inflated by government nonsense? To borrow a phrase from Sarah Palin; "You Betcha!". How bad is the rest of the economy to only show a 5% increase overall? A better question is why are we being misled to believe this is real? Where is the fourth arm of the government, the media? It's their job to unravel this propaganda and keep us informed. The whole process is tainted!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
The real U.S. GDP (gross domestic product), which represents the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the U.S., picked up the pace of positive growth that began in Q3 2009 by expanding 5.7% in Q4 2009, according to the first estimate from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
By growing for two consecutive quarters, the GDP appears to be clearly reversing the course it had taken in the previous three financial quarters with decreases of 0.7% in Q2 2009, 6.1% in Q1 2009 and 6.3% in Q4 2008.
As you can see the media is all agog as was I initially, but then I was inspired to dig a little deeper. I vaguely remember from high school what the GDP's definition was and it's parameters, so I checked it out. Here's what I found....
GDP = private consumption + gross investment + government spending + (exports − imports)
(Wikipedia)
Note the third factor in the equation, government spending. It would be tough to top the 800 billion dollar increase by the Bush administration in 2008 but this administration has far exceeded that milestone. The expansion of government alone in 2009 should have pushed the GDP through the roof.US News and World Report has noted 10's of thousands will be hired to administrate the government side of this spending alone (again skewing the unemployment numbers). And then there is the discretionary spending.....
The president signed an Omnibus spending bill that raised discretionary spending by 8%, contained 9,287 pork projects costing $13 billion, and spent $123 billion on programs for which government auditors can find no evidence of success.
So are these GPD numbers inflated by government nonsense? To borrow a phrase from Sarah Palin; "You Betcha!". How bad is the rest of the economy to only show a 5% increase overall? A better question is why are we being misled to believe this is real? Where is the fourth arm of the government, the media? It's their job to unravel this propaganda and keep us informed. The whole process is tainted!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Humble Pie!
I have to make a correction to a previous blog. I made an error and I need to apologize, and correct the misinformation. Something didn't jive with the conclusion I made and what I'd been taught, and it was bothering me all week, especially after I'd explained the idea again in another conversation. So I did further research and found my source of information was a misprint. I've contacted the publisher and if they also hold themselves accountable, I suspect they'll issue a retraction as well.
So what was the faux paw? I had stated in the blog "Waiting to Exhale", that the process of breathing doesn't produce excess CO2...Wrong.
In physiology, respiration (or just breathing) is defined as the transport of oxygen from the outside air to the cells within tissues, and the transport of carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. (Wikipedia)
The air we breath consists of 78% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, .9% argon, .04% carbon dioxide, and so on. The physiology manual of my dive masters course had stated that the carbon dioxide we exhale is .04% of the content of our breath, when in fact it's 4%. I should have checked the source.
It drove me crazy because I know a re-breather, used in diving, scrubs CO2 from the exhaled air. So logically there would have to be some extra CO2 to remove to make the air re-breathable. Also the chemical reaction of the cells burning oxygen has to have a by-product, CO2 ! That has to exit the body some how. It just irked me all week, the whole thing didn't add up.
So after further review I have to retract my statement, and apologize to the global warming enthusiast, and you. I've passed my findings on to PADI, and the publisher of the manual, and I'm certain they will also take steps to correct this.
This is a great teachable moment. First it's important to check our sources before forming a conclusion! Secondly it's critical to make right what ever's been misrepresented. "The truth tamper with is truth lost." A. J. Nock.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
So what was the faux paw? I had stated in the blog "Waiting to Exhale", that the process of breathing doesn't produce excess CO2...Wrong.
In physiology, respiration (or just breathing) is defined as the transport of oxygen from the outside air to the cells within tissues, and the transport of carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. (Wikipedia)
The air we breath consists of 78% nitrogen, 20.9% oxygen, .9% argon, .04% carbon dioxide, and so on. The physiology manual of my dive masters course had stated that the carbon dioxide we exhale is .04% of the content of our breath, when in fact it's 4%. I should have checked the source.
It drove me crazy because I know a re-breather, used in diving, scrubs CO2 from the exhaled air. So logically there would have to be some extra CO2 to remove to make the air re-breathable. Also the chemical reaction of the cells burning oxygen has to have a by-product, CO2 ! That has to exit the body some how. It just irked me all week, the whole thing didn't add up.
So after further review I have to retract my statement, and apologize to the global warming enthusiast, and you. I've passed my findings on to PADI, and the publisher of the manual, and I'm certain they will also take steps to correct this.
This is a great teachable moment. First it's important to check our sources before forming a conclusion! Secondly it's critical to make right what ever's been misrepresented. "The truth tamper with is truth lost." A. J. Nock.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Friday, February 5, 2010
Politics and Football!
Here it is Super Bowl weekend and America has two great teams to root for. The offensive powerhouse and odds on favorite Indianapolis Colts, led by the soon to be hall of famer, Peyton Manning, and the underdog New Orleans' Saints, the rags to riches phoenix like, storybook team.
It's sure to be a great contest! Two high powered offenses led by veteran quarterbacks, in the tropical setting of Miami, Florida! Add some friends and it's bound to be an awesome weekend. Let's not forget the myriad of creative commercials we will all be entertained by!
Liberals everywhere have to be inspired by the "Who Dat" nation. Their rise to greatness after the Hurricane Katrina demolition of New Orleans is a shining example of bureaucracy stepping into help with financial aide, and government support. The Saints are the centerpiece of that town and statement to the people's tenacity to overcome! So I have to ask....Is it politically correct for the party who is constantly chiming in about the separation of church and state to root for a team called "The Saints?"
Just one of unanswered questions that'll be haunting me all weekend! Enjoy the game!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
It's sure to be a great contest! Two high powered offenses led by veteran quarterbacks, in the tropical setting of Miami, Florida! Add some friends and it's bound to be an awesome weekend. Let's not forget the myriad of creative commercials we will all be entertained by!
Liberals everywhere have to be inspired by the "Who Dat" nation. Their rise to greatness after the Hurricane Katrina demolition of New Orleans is a shining example of bureaucracy stepping into help with financial aide, and government support. The Saints are the centerpiece of that town and statement to the people's tenacity to overcome! So I have to ask....Is it politically correct for the party who is constantly chiming in about the separation of church and state to root for a team called "The Saints?"
Just one of unanswered questions that'll be haunting me all weekend! Enjoy the game!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Time is Now to Get Ready!
It's been an interesting week in politics already and it's only Wednesday. The issue that stands out to me this week is the never ending hypocrisy in Washington. It's like they all got invited to a theme party and everyone had to attend as a hypocrite. I sit here reminded that we have elections looming in November and how important it is that we demand representatives that exude the qualities we live up to everyday. Is society that eroded that we can't find representatives that don't lie, don't use racial slurs, don't use four letter expletives, and don't demean handicapped citizens?
Has Washington become such a den of iniquity that everyone sent there becomes tainted? It's never acceptable to misrepresent anything to achieve the results you desire. Yet it's commonplace among our politicians. Apparently the misguided writing's of radical Saul Alinsky have become the playbook, and poisoned the integrity of the people we send to speak for us.
As our representatives they are a reflection of "We the people." Do you like being seen as a country lacking in character and integrity? The time has come to demand a higher standard. Last November we compromised in our candidates and our votes to seek a change. We had the message right, we just got on the wrong train. Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia have already spoken, yet the arrogance of our leaders ignored the message. The euphoria of power has clouded their judgement, they've forgotten their power is granted by the people.
This has to start at ground level. We need to put pressure on the candidates at a local level, and the party level to screen the offerings. We don't want to vote for the lesser of two evils, you still have an evil. Demand candidates vetted for character and integrity.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Has Washington become such a den of iniquity that everyone sent there becomes tainted? It's never acceptable to misrepresent anything to achieve the results you desire. Yet it's commonplace among our politicians. Apparently the misguided writing's of radical Saul Alinsky have become the playbook, and poisoned the integrity of the people we send to speak for us.
As our representatives they are a reflection of "We the people." Do you like being seen as a country lacking in character and integrity? The time has come to demand a higher standard. Last November we compromised in our candidates and our votes to seek a change. We had the message right, we just got on the wrong train. Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia have already spoken, yet the arrogance of our leaders ignored the message. The euphoria of power has clouded their judgement, they've forgotten their power is granted by the people.
This has to start at ground level. We need to put pressure on the candidates at a local level, and the party level to screen the offerings. We don't want to vote for the lesser of two evils, you still have an evil. Demand candidates vetted for character and integrity.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
I Can See Clearly Now!
I have to clear something up that I feel is being overlooked or misrepresented. It just irks me to listen to this, and I have to every time our current President gives a speech. We are consummately reminded, in an effort to dismiss this administration's bad behavior, the Obama's reign began with a 1.3 trillion dollar deficit. He's very quick to point out the Bush administration left him a mess, or did they?
Let's break down that 1.3 trillion dollar deficit. Almost 800 billion was used for tarp money. Money given to financial institutions to "rescue" them from failure. I'd like to take a moment here and remind the Obama administration that the bulk of that loan has been repaid. So effectively that portion of the debt should be erased from the books. Leaving an actual Bush deficit to be approximately 800 billion dollars, still unacceptable, but hardly the 1.3 trillion we are led to believe exists today, and a far cry from the insane amount he's about to go in the hole for.
You see the reason they still apply that money to the Bush debt is, the repayment hasn't been used to eliminate the debt it created. Obama is re-spending the money on other programs. So who is the financial bad guy now? Look, I'm no fan of the Bush administration, but let's put the blame where it belongs. Enough is enough!
Let me pose a question to you! If you were in a relationship and your significant other constantly misled you like Washington is doing, how long would that relationship exist? Personally I can't stand a liar, or a thief for that matter. I've listened to the excuse the past administration left us a mess for the last time, it's simply the reasoning to justify their questionable actions. I liken it to saying; " I had a cockroach problem so my only alternative was to burn the house down."
One would think the media would pick up on this and alert the public. I don't think we're getting,"All the news that's fit to print." Nor can they lay claim to, "America's most trusted source for news," any longer.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Let's break down that 1.3 trillion dollar deficit. Almost 800 billion was used for tarp money. Money given to financial institutions to "rescue" them from failure. I'd like to take a moment here and remind the Obama administration that the bulk of that loan has been repaid. So effectively that portion of the debt should be erased from the books. Leaving an actual Bush deficit to be approximately 800 billion dollars, still unacceptable, but hardly the 1.3 trillion we are led to believe exists today, and a far cry from the insane amount he's about to go in the hole for.
You see the reason they still apply that money to the Bush debt is, the repayment hasn't been used to eliminate the debt it created. Obama is re-spending the money on other programs. So who is the financial bad guy now? Look, I'm no fan of the Bush administration, but let's put the blame where it belongs. Enough is enough!
Let me pose a question to you! If you were in a relationship and your significant other constantly misled you like Washington is doing, how long would that relationship exist? Personally I can't stand a liar, or a thief for that matter. I've listened to the excuse the past administration left us a mess for the last time, it's simply the reasoning to justify their questionable actions. I liken it to saying; " I had a cockroach problem so my only alternative was to burn the house down."
One would think the media would pick up on this and alert the public. I don't think we're getting,"All the news that's fit to print." Nor can they lay claim to, "America's most trusted source for news," any longer.
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Monday, February 1, 2010
I'll Gladly Pay You Tuesday for a Hamburger Today!
I'm sitting here agog over how far out of touch this administration is with reality. I swear it's making my head hurt! They are proposing a 3.8 trillion dollar budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The deficit on this proposed budget is 1.6 trillion dollars. Almost 1/2 of the budget is borrowed money. How do you justify this? If our personal budgets were run like this we'd be put in prison for fraud and theft.
Last years budget was 1.3 trillion dollars in the red, that was the Bush budget Obama "inherited". This year's budget is 1.4 trillion dollars short, and the proposed budget is 1.6 in the hole. Anybody else seeing a pattern here? So much for tightening government's belt and the suggested spending freeze. Can you imagine the proposal if they didn't try to control spending? The interest payments on this debt is four billion dollars a week alone, or 208 billion dollars a year.
I'm floored! How do you stand before the nation and put a spin on the economic destruction of our country as necessary? Look at those numbers, when I went to school they never even taught the number trillion, there was no need. Now it rolls off the tongues of politicians like it's chicken feed.
Our only hope to survive is a balanced budget. We as individuals are required to live within our needs; what exempts the government? Time to make noise again people! They just don't get it.
Whenever you operate in the red you need investors. Basically you've sold a portion of your business to the people who loan you the money. The same principle applies to a nation. We are being sold off piece by piece to the countries who "invest" in our bonds issued to cover the shortfall. Investors are looking for a return and an eventual exit strategy. They don't make money unless you repay the investment, with interest. The other option is you sell or merge the business, (or country), to someone who has the operating capital.
Once again our freedom is being challenged, this time it's an economic assault. The enemy is an out of control government, and it's big spending policies. This is more dangerous and looming than any terrorist threat to date. Follow the money my people! Let's pull the plug on this spending machine!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
Last years budget was 1.3 trillion dollars in the red, that was the Bush budget Obama "inherited". This year's budget is 1.4 trillion dollars short, and the proposed budget is 1.6 in the hole. Anybody else seeing a pattern here? So much for tightening government's belt and the suggested spending freeze. Can you imagine the proposal if they didn't try to control spending? The interest payments on this debt is four billion dollars a week alone, or 208 billion dollars a year.
I'm floored! How do you stand before the nation and put a spin on the economic destruction of our country as necessary? Look at those numbers, when I went to school they never even taught the number trillion, there was no need. Now it rolls off the tongues of politicians like it's chicken feed.
Our only hope to survive is a balanced budget. We as individuals are required to live within our needs; what exempts the government? Time to make noise again people! They just don't get it.
Whenever you operate in the red you need investors. Basically you've sold a portion of your business to the people who loan you the money. The same principle applies to a nation. We are being sold off piece by piece to the countries who "invest" in our bonds issued to cover the shortfall. Investors are looking for a return and an eventual exit strategy. They don't make money unless you repay the investment, with interest. The other option is you sell or merge the business, (or country), to someone who has the operating capital.
Once again our freedom is being challenged, this time it's an economic assault. The enemy is an out of control government, and it's big spending policies. This is more dangerous and looming than any terrorist threat to date. Follow the money my people! Let's pull the plug on this spending machine!
God Bless
Capt. Bill
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