Food Stamps Out >> Rice and Beans In

The biggest problem with Give-away programs is that they required monitoring and yet the only monitoring system in place is on the Honor System. When food stamps came out, it wasn't long before enterprising individuals found out that, grocery stores really didn't check id's or for the most part, even cared if they were buying what the food stamps were originally for. I remember being in a store and a well dressed man paid for part of his food with food stamps and for the rest pulled out a oversized wad of large denomination bills. Not only was he buying steaks, beer and Cigarettes, but, the clerk didn't care. The store was getting their money from the government. Soon others began selling their food stamps under the guise of money laundering, That's right they would sell their food stamps pennies on the dollar. That way they could buy those necessities unavailable at the grocer, like pot, heron, crack.... (get the picture). Then came the EBT cards, the governments answer to relieve the stigma of paying with food stamps, this was designed to 1) make other watchful eyes think the person was buying with a credit or debit card. and 2) more secure since the person would be signing (when was the last time a grocery clerk checked your id when you checked out). Now you can buy all kinds of unnecessary things with your EBT card, since many grocery stores carry a lot more than groceries (i.e. Walmart). So how do we get back to providing a proper sustenance for those who truly need it, while maintaining that person's dignity? Here's my answer... Beans and Rice, that's right beans and rice your basic foods beans have fiber and protein, while rice has carbohydrates (these are those items we send to disaster areas). In addition to giving those items away to the poor, you give them to everyone. Literally destroying their market value. A junkie won't find anyone to buy their beans and rice if anyone can get them for free. Families won't starve, because, they will always be able to eat beans and rice. There won't be any stigma attached to eating beans and rice, and if you want steaks and beer on the side, you will be paying for it out of your pocket not out of mine. Besides if properly stored they can last forever. As for paying farmers not to grow potatos or corn or tobacco, the federal government could pay them to grow Beans and Rice.

Rights of Foreign Nationals

Granted we, as American Citizens have certain unalienable rights, but, do Aliens have unalienable rights? This is a hard question. I believe if a foreign country affords Americans in their country all the rights we have here, then yes its citizenry should be afforded those same rights here. However, the line in the sand is right there. We should never extend our rights to those who 1) don't have those rights in their country or 2) don't grant those rights to us when we are there. Maybe we should Mirandize each Foreign National, as he gets off the plane. They have no right to privacy here in our country, therefore their phone calls can be monitored (they act is if they are anyway). Remember they are not Citizens, they are Visitors. If a neighbor comes over to your house, he does not have the right to use your phone, unless you extend that right to him. He does not have the right to sleep in your bed if you don't offer it to him. He does not have the right to even use your toilet, unless you allow him to. Why do we treat aliens like they have every right we do? We have every right to throw them out of the country without even an explanation. But, remember, if we do, then we can't complain when they throw us out of their country. When I was overseas, I respected their Police, I followed their rules, and I did as I was expected to. Why then shouldn't they when they are here.

No Offense Taken

Nothing that rattles my cage more, than someone who takes offense at my beliefs. What does it matter, if I profess a belief in the Sovereign Lord, My God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances" in this it says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;" i.e. the government cannot tell me, I can't profess my beliefs as I see fit. It cannot tell me I cannot pray in public, or tell my children they cannot pray in school, or my grandchildren. I can say "Merry Christmas" and if that offends you, tough! If you tell me Happy Hannukah, I will be gracious enough to thank you for your blessing, If you say to me Happy Ramadan, I will be gracious enough to thank you for your blessing. It is a sad commentary, that people who do not believe in God, to be so upset about someone telling them "God Bless you" If someone tells me "may the Force be with you" what is it to me? I won't be offended. So get over it, I have my beliefs, and you have yours. I take offense at your offense. So by your logic you have no right to be offended at me.

Presidential Prerequisite

Since one of the job titles of the President is Commander-In-Chief, Prior Military Service should be a prerequisite, for the job. No Man or Woman should ever have the authority to send troops into harm's way if they themselves never stood in that position.

Terrorist = Coward

That's right, Terrorists are cowards, plain and simple. They refuse to obey the rules of the Geneva Conventions, therefore they should not be afforded the rights guarenteed by it. Terrorists attack non combatants (guarenteed direct protection therein), they specifically attack to create the greatest amount of fear and terror. There were no military objectives in the Twin Towers, therefore the attack on the twin towers in itself was a direct violation of the Geneva Conventions. Any one participating in that attack, is by their own actions exempt from any protections therein. Anyone who, attacks any gathering of non-combatants deserves immediate extermination as the true cockroaches that they are. They don't deserve any rights associated with civilized society. In my opinion, they should not be afforded any rights. Now, let me stipulate, I don't believe torture is an effective source of good information. Therefore, I don't believe we should participate in torture to obtain useful information. Once we are done interrogating terrorists, then we should spend the 75 cents to put them down. They don't even deserve a last meal.

Pay Raises for Congress?

This past year Congress voted themselves a payraise and also refused to vote for a Cost of Living raise to those on Social Security and retired veterans. Shame on those money grubbing bastards! I propose a constitutional admendment

"Congress shall be prohibited from voting themselves a raise in any year that the Budget is not balanced, or there is an existing deficit. Furthermore, Congressional raises will be anchored to Cost of Living raises linked to retired benefits of those on Social Security or on Government Retirees to includse Military Veterans."

Wanna see a balanced Budget? make congress liable for their actions. In fact why not retain Congressional pay in those times where there is no federal budget in place. I don't mean suspend it and give it back to them, when they do. I mean when there is no budget in place, they don't get paid for that time frame. It would be rare to see suspended services when they can't get a budget out in time.

When Voting Becomes A Conflict of Interest

I know this will stir up a hornet's nest, but, I really believe this needs to be said. "People on public assistance, should not be able to vote." It is a matter of conflict of interest. Politicans will pander to these people promising them more aid, more money, for their votes. If people on welfare are restricted from voting, these same politicans will be more likely to help them with workable programs to get them off the public dole, instead of keeping them there. For instance, I have had single mothers working for me, who when given a raise, asked me to cut their hours, because they would earn too much and would lose benefits. A mere dollar increase, was causing them to lose two dollars in benefits. Why should we punish these people and make it harder to alleviate their situation. We should set up the system which gives them every opportunity to get free of the system. What should have happened is for every two dollar increase in earning they should have only lost one dollar in benefits. In so making it easier to get off the welfare wagon, and building self sufficient members of society, contributing to the GNP. That won't happen until politicans stop seeing the poor as a voting block, so they will have no interest in keeping them poor. I have no problem with giving assistance to those who need in the short term, but, we have created welfare as a career choice.

Good Morning Massachusetts!

A hearty Good morning to the people of Massachusetts who on this date woke up smelled the kool-aid and decided not to drink from it. Congradulations to Senator Brown (R-Mass) in his upset victory over the Kennedy Machine. Proving America, is not beyond hope.

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt

How about beyond any doubt? When a criminal is convicted of a horrific crime, which he freely admits to, and when there is no doubt what-so-ever. When the preponderance of evidence, is so overwhelming, that anyone can see the undeniable guilt. It is time to speed up the justice system. I am all for the wheels moving slowly if there is a possibility of innocence, that the accused should have his opportunity for appeal. But, there is a time when a verdict is beyond any doubt, and that time requires us to push the clog through the drain and get it over with. In these cases execution should be administered within weeks if not days.

Brothers Whose Names He Does Not Know

I wrote this right after 9-11 as a tribute to fire fighters everywhere

Brothers Whose Names He Does Not Know

Klaxons ring out as the foundations of the earth are shaken,
Bells and Sirens, flood the air as lives are lost and taken.
Theirs is not a choice they have to dare,
for they answer a call, to serve, to care!

Their charges flee down the stairs in orderly confusion,
as heroes advance upward in resolute dedication.
Not questioning, just answering the call,
unable to do any less, than giving their all.

In silent obedience into Hell's own fires,
driven by duty spurred by their hopes and desires.
The weakened building sways and then buckles,
Floor by floor, descending to the street it crumbles.

Now he stands amidst twisted steel and crushed concrete,
smoldering fires beneath fill his boots with sweat,
His great coat torn, dusty and smelling of smoke,
the acrid smell of burnt and unburnt fuel makes him choke.

He knows his brothers lay somewhere below,
Brothers whose names he does not know.
He had arrived as the mass of steel had settled,
he cursed the time it took, as if he had waited.

In his heart he cries and a little of him also dies,
his comrades, his brothers, his own, so he tries,
Lifting tons of rubble with hands and back,
Moving the mass and descending into black.

Now, He fights an unyielding foe, time ticks away,
as a minute becomes an hour, an hour becomes a day.
No one knows how many, no one knows how few,
Yet these men with motives pure, remain true.

Perhaps at best, one out of every thousand still breathing,
But, in the midst are people in despair and in needing,
Yet these men still toil, to help even if just one.
To continue the fight until the fight is done.

Their arms ache, their eyes burn, their hearts beating,
putting off rest, hardly eating, seldom sleeping.
For he knows that his brothers lay somewhere below,
Brothers, Whose Names He Does Not Know.

National Police Service

In an earlier post, I professed an opinion that we needed a National Fire and Rescue Service and cited many reasons to include easing the budgetary burden on local communities. This also is a major reason for adopting a National Police Service. Many communities do not have the means for maintaining a reliable and efficent Police force. If this burden were to be picked up by the Federal Government it would be a more professional Force, with more effective training. A police force unburdened by state lines or local jurisdiction. With a more uniform standard of procedure, training and professionalism. A National Police Academy would train Senior Officers, and Localized "Boot Camps" would train new officers. The Deptartment of Corrections would fall under this National Police Force and the Prison system in this country would fall under these guidelines. Also under this would fall the FBI. We should also adopt and National Police Guard to act under the National Police Service as a reserve unit

Judicial Malpractice It Is Time!

Why do we only think of Malpractice, as a problem affecting the Medical field? Let's look at the definition of the word to see...

mal·prac·tice n.
1. Improper or negligent treatment of a patient, as by a physician, resulting in injury, damage, or loss.
2. Improper or unethical conduct by the holder of a professional or official position.
3. The act or an instance of improper practice.
So we see, under definition 2 malpractical could be a problem associated with Judges, Parole Boards, or Lawyers. Making it obvious why lawyers don't want you to be able to sue under a case of Judical Malpractice.

Everyday Judges set criminals free under a myriad of legal reasons...

1) To make room, in over crowded jails (even if some of those criminals are guilty of overcrowding hospitals and cemetaries)

2) The rights of the criminal were violated (even though he violated someone else's rights)

3) He helped place someone else in jail.

4) Etc.. Etc... Etc...

Judges also set aside jury verdicts because they didn't use the law as a basis for conviction (called jury nulification). It is time that the Judical system is held accountable for their actions. Judges, are not God, they do not rule absolutly and when they overstep their bounds, then they should be held accountable

What's Wrong With Miranda?

One of the most frustrating problems we have with our criminal justice system, is the Miranda Act! I don't mean the Act itself, but how it has created a loophole for criminals. If I comment a crime, and I am arrested for it, and the Police don't read me my rights, or take the time to explain them to me... I can get off the hook. That's right we have all seen it on TV, and heard about it on the news. If the Police violate your rights during an arrest you can walk away a free man. This is an outrage! Think of it this way, you are shot down by a criminal, he just violated your rights, the right to life! Under the Justice System's Logic that means you should be set free allowed to live a normal life, but, you can't because you are dead. When this happens we prosecute the killer, the man who violated your right to life. We don't raise you from the dead. So when a criminal is arrested and his rights are violated, then we prosecute the man who violated his rights, the police officer. Now lets take this another step; If the police violate your rights in an investigation and you are innocent, then it should be a felony, if you are guilty, then it is a misdemeanor. One case the Police are punished as directed by a Judge, the other they are repremended. As far as Miranda should be concerned any convict (someone who has been judged guilty) has had his rights read to them the first time he was arrested and therefore has had his rights read to him (even if they were not read to him the second time he was arrested). Trust me criminals know their rights better than you do. Also as far as I am concerned, even if your rights are violated and you are guilty you are guilty nuff said.

National Fire and Rescue Service

We should establish a National Fire and Rescue Service, to replace the individual Fire Departments around the country. I know this flies in the face of the current heroic Fire Departments around the world, however, many communities are lacking in adequate fire protection. The establishment of a National Fire and Rescue Service would ease the burden of funding adequate fire protection throughout the country. Plus, creating standardized training and equipment throughout. A Nation Fire and Rescue Academy to train Officers and a number of "Boot Camps" to train the rank and file fire fighter. Also the Establishment of a Fire Guard (the Fire Service equivilent of the National Guard as it augments the Army) basically a reserve arm of the National Fire and Rescue. This would decrease the Budgetary concerns of Local Governments while improving public safety.

Scrap The IRS!!!!

That's right scrap the IRS, we don't need it! We could completely can the IRS and the income tax since it is anti-productive. The IRS takes money out of circulation from the moment it is collected by means of withholding. If we took away Income Tax and replaced it with a national sales tax. we would stimulate the economy, and eliminate a major expenditure on the Federal Budget. Think of it this way; 1) As Americans, we basically roll over quietly and let the federal government takes as much as 35% of our income away from us, as a prepayment on taxes we may or may not owe. 2) If we fail to pay our taxes on time, we are charged and fined exhorberant amounts, yet if we prepay and are due a refund from everything we paid into it, we don't get paid any interest. 3) Members of Congress to make up any short falls increase the tax rates, designed to redistribute the wealth from the rich to the poor, yet on the back side of that create loopholes to exclude the rich from having to pay, putting the squeeze on those of us in the middle, who make too much to get money from the fat cats and not enough to enjoy those elusive loopholes. 4) the Democrats say they want the rich to pay more, and the poor less, but their policies really only impact the middle class.

Lets take a look at what we should do.

1) Impose a 10% National Sales Tax
a) Food purchases would be exempt
b) Medical and Dental costs would be exempt
c) The first $500 of rent would be exempt
d) The first $50,000 of a primary home purchase price would be exempt
e) Educational expenses would be exempt
f) Business expenditures would only be taxed if the business is the end user

2) Eliminate withholding

3) Employer Matching goes directly into the employees paycheck

The effects of this would mean

1) An increase of 30% of take home pay, because you take everything home along with what your employer was matching

2) The Less money you make means the less taxes you pay since a greater percentage of your check goes to food and housing

3) The rich pay more taxes because they spend more on non-exempt items.

4) Earnings on Savings stay in your pocket until you buy

Dropouts, Voters, and Voluntary Conscription

One of the largest problems facing America today is the dropout rate, how do we keep our youth in school for the full term? My solution would be Voluntary Conscription. What is this you ask? It would be the option for Our youth to enter into National Service. National Service would not be limited to Military Service, it would include Public Safety (Police, Fire and Rescue), Health Services (to be inclusive of Working in Hospitals, clinics, assisting in child care, senior care and Doctors offices), Conservation Corps (National Parks and Wilderness management areas), and any other field which could be considered in the public interest. This would be a requirement for young people to enter into upon leaving school (High School), and before entering higher fields of education. I use voluntary and requirement loosely, because where it would only be manditory, if the individual wanted to take advantage of certain privileges. Privileges such as Driving a car under the age of 21, Taking out Federally sponsered Loans, Voting in elections, collecting welfare, medicare or public assistance.
This Conscription would be a period of no less than 2 years, unless the individual does not have a GED or High School Diploma (this would incur an additional 1 to 2 year obligation and prohibit them from choosing the field of National Service). If the individual wanted to choose his or her field this would add an additional year (which non High School grads are exempt). Applicants desiring to enter into a fully funded College Program, would have to add an additional year and would be placed into a field that best suits their academic desires (Those wishing to enter one of the Military Academies, would be under a 4 year obligation in the Armed Forces of their choice, provided that they meet the entrance standards of that Academy). Those wishing to enter the Medical field would be under a 3 year obligation, with the exception of those wishing to be placed in a fully funded national program increasing their obligation to 5 years, which would be reduced to as little as 2 years if they participate in a National Need Relocation Program upon completion of their medical training, for a term equaling the reduction in service time. Similar programs would be available to other aspiring scholars who wish to recieve a "Free Ride" from federally sponsered college programs. Candidates would have to qualify for the field in which they want to serve, and failure to successfully complete their term of service would be the equivilent of opting out in the first place.

A National Lottery To Select Our Legislature

Somehow, our representative government got away from representing us. If it does then we are a nation of Lawyers. Our founding fathers were Lawyers, Farmers, Businessmen and Clergy. But, today our Representatives are for the most part rich lawyers. I have to ask how does a lawyer know what Farmers need? How does a Lawyer know what Teachers need. If we got away from our current system of electing professional politicans (i.e. Lawyers) to our House of Representatives and went to a lottery system (much like drawing jurys from a voter pool) We would have a better cross section of our people representing us in the House. This would be similar to a grand jury, where people would serve a maximum of 2 years (maybe 1). We would have farmers, teachers, nurses, doctors, blue collar workers, military, businessmen and other fields who would serve accordingly representing their state.

The Senate Shall Follow....

From the Constitution Article I section 3. The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

What I propose is that We should use our Governors and Lt Governors as our Senators. The Governor would be the senior Senator, and remain in his state conducting the affairs of his state, the Lt Governor shall be the Junior Senator and seated in Washington D.C., conducting the affairs of the nation. When a vote or other such activity requires the attention of the Senior He may participate in the form of a video conference or if activities allow he may journey to the National capital as warrented.

This one action would save the National Budget $17,738,800 a year.

Also We should elect Governors and Lt Governors as we would President and Vice President, this action alone will prevent a Super majority existing in the senate, by splitting the parties into the Senate with minor allowances for third party Govenors

Return To The Original Selection Process

IAW (in Accordance With) the US Constitution Article II Section 1.

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows:
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately chuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representation from each State having one Vote; A quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the Vice President.
The Congress may determine the Time of chusing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:--"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

So What I am Saying is that the President and Vice President shall be from different parties. Forcing our administrations to be bi-Partisan.

You Want To Fix The Health Care System

See my post on Social Security.... Yes, Make Congress sign on to the program.... Under the new proposed system Congress will have the option of not participating, This is so wrong on too many levels. Make them stand in the same health care lines they want us to stand in. If they have to participate it will be a damn site better than what they will set up for us, if they don't.

You Want To Fix The Social Security System?

Easy, the first and most important thing you have to do is...... Make congress participate! that's right, make them sign up to be the first ones.... 1) drop their full paycheck for life. 2) Make them have to live off of what they want us to live off of. 3) Make them pay into Social Security at the same rates they want us to pay. If you do this it won't be long before they will straighten out the mess they created......