Issue #11

7-16-09

We, as a government continually fail to put the slightest dent in poverty in America because we don’t help people to help themselves. We give them handouts and make beggars out of them. Give them jobs. MAKE JOBS! All over America we can build or repair. Watch their kids while they work. Give them not one dime for nothing. Give them self respect! If they work everyday like everyone else, they will look for a better job if they want a better life. But whatever they have, they have earned with THEIR OWN two hands, and therein lies one’s SELF RESPECT. That is what America is supposed to be about. Freedom to do whatever you want. Work hard and you CAN DO, and HAVE anything! My saying it doesn’t have the impact that the next quote should:

“I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves and became richer.” Ben Franklin 1766

America must again become the Land of OPPORTUNITY – not a Dependent WELFARE state! In this next quote I see A.C.O.R.N. and suspect government. What do you think?

“Dependence begets subservience and venality, suffocates the germ of virtue, and prepares fit tools for the designs of ambition.” Thomas Jefferson 1787

I hate stupid government spending wherever it is found, and I hate Unions that become so powerful that they ensure jobs for LAZY or incompetent good-for-nothings. That is WRONG by ANY decent person's standards. This brings us to idiotic spending of taxpayer’s money in New York State (deeply in debt, of course). The school teacher’s union came up with “tenure.” In short, it means if you do your job adequately for a while you are REWARDED with “tenure.” After tenure, practically nothing short of murder can get you fired. This is nationwide but these specifics in N.Y. show how our stupid system perpetuates debt. There are 700 school teachers, with salaries of $70,000 minimum that go to a place where they are only required to BE PRESENT 8 hours a day, as if they were teaching. They have been accused of some wrongdoing, of insubordination or worse, and AWAIT their hearing, or day in court, I guess. I think $70,000 is a VERY good “minimum wage” for 9 months of work, even IF they were working. Did you know (proud fact) that 17 of the 50 largest cities in America graduate less than half of their students? But I digress. Some of those 700 have been waiting (and paid) OVER 5 years, while costing taxpayers of N.Y. over $60 Million a year. I wonder how many other states (same union isn’t it?) have similar situations, but haven’t made the news?

Michael Jackson was a very talented singer and dancer. It was not proven he was a child molester and O.J. Simpson was not a proven murderer. But Jackson was indeed a peculiar individual with very strange ways. He admitted bedding down with children, and a little boy described his genitalia in detail, AND he spent Millions to make it go away. Al Sharpton is an opportunist. He never misses a chance to get his face on camera. And it always becomes racial with this man. For him to say Jackson was a BLACK ICON and to practically deify him, is crazy. Also crazy were those hoards of musical and Hollywood entertainers, and the RIDICULOUS amount of media coverage. I think it was a tribute to hypocrisy, in Grand Hollywood style on a World Stage. What about Michael Jackson THE MAN, disturbed, alone, a virtual skeleton, on drugs, deeply in debt, living practically in exile since his trial. WHERE WERE all those loving entertainers and supporters (that suddenly came out of the woodwork for the wake celebration) THEN? They avoided him like the plague!! And how about that huge “loving” FAMILY that did not intervene; just allowed him to waste away and die? Where were YOU (friend) Reverend Sharpton? Was there EVER a worshiped “Black Icon” that strived harder to appear white? He had bleached skin and a sliver of a nose. He mechanically selected an obscure white woman to “produce” his children, then quickly PAID her to go away. He was very talented and very weird. So was the FAKED reverence. And policing this event cost L.A. (awash in red ink) millions.

How much Press (how many entertainers) did actress Farrah Fawcett’s death get? She died of Cancer on the same day. Her sad wasting away was NOT self-inflicted. She has loved ones. AND in Afghanistan, about 2 DOZEN brave, young British and American lives met violent deaths in the same time frame spent mourning and PAYING TRIBUTE to Michael Jackson. They have loved ones that are crying their eyes out! Many more will die. Where is the press? Where is the tribute? The whole Nation (media-wise) virtually shut down for 10 days when we were supposed to be paying tribute to our soldiers (past, present, and presently dying) AND our nation’s independence. I think this is SAD testimony to our superficiality, don’t you?

The United States is sitting on enough Natural Gas reserves to last us 100 years! Any automobile can be converted to natural gas, eliminating the greatest reason for importing foreign oil, and the need to refine it into gasoline. America has MORE gas reserves than any other country in the world! Yet, America IMPORTS MORE natural gas than ANY other country in the world! Does this make ANY sense? With these facts, why is NO ONE pushing hard on new autos using natural gas and conversions of millions of existing autos, trucks and diesels, (they are done elsewhere) creating jobs. We are supposedly all for jobs, getting off foreign dependency on oil, and a cleaner environment! So then, WHO is getting RICH by maintaining the status quo? It is always about the money. Who is getting paid to do something? Or who is getting paid to do nothing? In other words, paid to be certain NOTHING gets done? Doesn’t this continuous crap make you sick to your stomach? Who in hell (in D.C.) truly cares about America and it’s people anymore?

Even environmentalists and global warming proponents should be on board. Natural gas emits 23% LESS greenhouse gas than diesel, and 30% LESS than gasoline. We could have it at about $1.50 per gallon. With drilling known reserves, pipelines and conversions, it would be JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! And we would be SECURE FOR A HUNDRED YEARS! Ain’t the silence deafening in D.C.? A dozen automakers make natural gas vehicles (even General Motors) for Europe, Argentina and Brazil. A new vehicle would cost $3,500-$7,000 more than gasoline, and converting a presently owned auto to natural would cost $3,000-$5,000. Consider though, that $1.50 /gallon vs. $3.00 at the pump, and 30 mpg equates to a break-even of $3,000 at 60,000 miles (without any government subsidies or incentives). Also consider your vehicle will last longer, at far less maintenance cost because natural gas is cleaner and much easier on your engine. And yes, far fewer emissions and the delight of “flipping the bird” to the Arabs counts for something. I would definitely pay “extra” for that!

I know you would like to know where some of your stimulus dollars (that were desperately needed to prevent Armageddon) are spent, and who gets stimulated. Let’s look at “John Murtha” airport in Johnstown, PA, named for their 19th term U.S. Representative. It has 3 flights daily and is otherwise empty. Murtha has brought in 200 million taxpayer dollars for it over the years. 8 million in an air traffic radar system sits unused since its installation in 2004. I suspect because 20 passengers a day is like NO TRAFFIC, in spite of the fact it can land the largest airplanes in the world. 3 trips a day to D.C.! I wonder, is John on it occassionally? Guam's airport (U.S. Territory) is getting 4.8 million to rehab ITS airport, bringing their stimulus total to 33.2 million so far. I don't know what the unemployment rate is in Guam, but I'm sure it will somehow stimulate the Homeland.

Nancy Pelosi will get 16.1 million to preserve the salt water mouse in HER backyard. Hawaii’s Senator, Daniel Inodye’s bank, Central Pacific (which he helped found and most of his fortune was in) was failing and didn’t meet the criteria for bailout on last fall’s application. Two weeks after Inodye inquired about that application, 135 million was sent. In fairness, a bunch of other senators did almost exactly the same thing. They are amazingly alike. And, it is interesting to note that across the country (that is uniformly in need) twice as much stimulus cash is going to those counties that voted FOR Obama. The media said, if McCain had won, it would have been the same thing. That MAY be true - maybe not.

What should we make of all these Czars? Obama has about 35 already. We know they cost a lot in salaries, X 35. We know they know virtually nothing about their respective areas of responsibility. So what is their purpose? I think they are an extension of Obama’s eyes and ears, listening in and snooping around. Perhaps to intimidate and remind all, the “Big Guy” is watching and he is everywhere. Extreme control personalities are like that. If he’s not paranoid, it must be me. Like, what's he up to now?

I told you A.C.O.R.N. is very bad, with about 270 different fronts to confuse anyone trying to follow the money. Wade Rathke (remember this name) the founder who covered up his brother’s $1 million embezzlement (neither went to jail) is now overseas, spreading A.C.O.R.N.’s mission in 10-11 countries, so far. They changed names from “A.C.O.R.N. International” to, “Community Organizers International” to disassociate in name and notoriety, and further entangle those 270 fronts for anyone on their trail from the homeland.

A.C.O.R.N. and S.E.I.U. (Service Employees International Union) share the SAME mailing address. That’s close. S.E.I.U. bragged about contributing 60.7 million dollars to Obama’s campaign. If, for no other reason, I think S.E.I.U. is “dirty,” by association with a very dirty and devious A.C.O.R.N.! But GM’s U.A.W., and now S.E.I.U., point to more AND connect to Obama!

California certainly has had its financial troubles. This spring the state tried to cut $76 million by pay reduction to home health care workers. The S.E.I.U. lobbied the Federal Government to step in. The S.E.I.U. was included (unprecedented) in an April 15th conference call between the Federal and State Government! Then Obama told California to revoke the pay cut or lose 6.8 billion in stimulus funds! 76 million vs. 6.8 billion? Guess who won? This scary revelation, courtesy of the L.A. Times. Obama once worked for A.C.O.R.N.! The S.E.I.U. and A.C.O.R.N. are close. Obama, A.C.O.R.N. and Barney Frank are close. I say, keep a very, very close eye on ALL of them! Especially the one at the top. Again, this shouldn’t be happening in America, and should have been so much bigger news. Media, where are you? Obama’s bed just gets bigger and bigger. Pretty soon they’ll have to add on a far-left wing. April 15 (tax day) is a busy day for many distracted Americans. Very interesting timing!

Supreme Court Justices have no right to publicly say, who they think would be a good replacement for any Justice stepping down. It has never been done before. It is political. It is wrong and sets a terrible precedent. So it comes as no surprise to me that it happens under Obama “change.” Justice Ruth Ginsburg, while interviewed, answered questions and endorsed nominee Sonia Sotomayor. Timely, it comes out in the Sunday New York Times, the day before Sotomayor’s confirmation hearing. The Supreme Court must adhere to some semblance of neutrality, removed from the stigma and stench of today’s politics. It is enough that our Executive Branch, and Legislative Branch are highly suspect in representing the people. Don’t take our hope away that maybe the Judicial Branch is still “FOR the people.” Sotomayor was a leader (12 years) of PRLDEF which has ties to A.C.O.R.N. (who endorses Sotomayor) who endorses gun control. Know this - if A.C.O.R.N. is for her, she's poison!

The President has the right to NOT go to church. The many Christians who elected him (regrettably perhaps) would not force their religious beliefs upon him and his family. That would be wrong, and un-American. But he, with Presidential Power we bestowed upon him, has no problem (with a wave of his almighty hand) ending a long tradition of Honoring Our Military, while the COUNTRY IS AT WAR, and taking place ON the 4th of July, and during a week or two span when 13 soldiers died in Afghanistan! He denied a simple fly-over that had taken place for 41 or 42 years in a row! Obama forced his religious belief (lack of) onto those patriots in Idaho, because their annual rally is titled “God and Country.” Too “Christian.” Since when did “Christian” become a dirty word in America? My fervent opinion is when this man took his oath of office! This insult plus things he had said and done before, shout out how he feels! Are you listening? Now, I would like to know, how EVERY member of congress feels BY NAME - in the name of “transparency,” of course. I believe “transparency” (since Obama’s usage) has become a dirty word. This stance by our Commander in Chief, on the 4th of July, while 60+ military recruits are being sworn in, at the same time our kids at war are dying at an increased rate, was a major screw-up. It was a tremendous photo-op for a man who stages town hall meetings. He should have been there. He could have thrown something over (or put a piece of plywood in front of) the offensive part of the banner that said, “God and Country.” I dad-gum guarantee you, if HE was present we would have had one whale of an air show then! But seriously, I was disgusted by this. I fear the connotation. Obama is anything but transparent. What else awaits us? This was a huge ill-timed blunder, exposing him. Let’s see how his adoring media spins it, or ignores it. It was not smart. And I hope it bites him - but it won't. There is something about “My President” that makes me feel like I have to watch him all the time. He is so smooth and charming, smiles a lot, and always talking “transparency” then has all those closed door meetings, and then some“surprising”news surfaces that makes me feel very uneasy, in its sneakiness, or how it came to light. I feel the need to have one hand always on my wallet in his presence, and he’s not even in the same room. I’ve seen a lot of presidents come and go, but never felt like this before. Well, Jimmy Carter did give me a twinge, but that was 30 years ago. Goldman Sachs has so many entwined ties with power positions in Government AND Wall Street it is unreal, unbelievable, and absolutely underhanded; Crooks and dirty dealing, going on for years - next week.
One American's View. Thanks for listening - Phil Faustman