One small part of my perfect world (actually my perfect country, but hey, we Americans think of this country as being the world) would be to make an automobile an entitlement to all citizens "in good standing". This free car would be available to people starting at age 18. The government would pay for this via a slight increase in taxes, which if the cars were contracted for 5 grand the increase would be 100 smackers per month... a very reasonable sum. Uncle Sam should make a deal with only American based companies to manufacture these cars.
These cars would be replaced every 5 years, again for free. The Gov. could and should place certain requirements on the automakers which should include but not be limited to: total cost $5,000 big buckaroonies. Cars must get 50 MPG. Cars must seat 4 adults, or 2 adults and X amount of cargo (i.e. groceries). Cars must meet strict safety and pollution standards. Cars must have a minimum top speed of 75 MPH. Cars would have a security system to prevent theft. Cars would be turned in every 5 years for a new one etc, etc.
Automakers could still make more expensive cars available and I'm sure people would still buy them. Those qualified but deciding not to buy the Eco car would not have their taxes increased. These cars could not be sold by their owners, but would have to be turned in to the dealer for recycling when the five years are up. They would also receive free factory repairs for any mechanical problems (does not include accidents or abuse). There should also be a stipulation that any manufacturer's car that has too many problems (perhaps more than 1%) could not participate in the program.
This would create a lot of jobs and make NEW cars available to a great many people who couldn't otherwise afford it.
Lastly, these cars could be designed to be part of a future mass personal transit system. More on that another time. Do it for the PEOPLE!!!!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
I'm Baccccccckkkkkkkk!
Ok, ok, so I haven't blogged in a month or so. I haven't had a big sense of urgency since it seems like only my wife reads this stuff, and she has to listen to me bellyache all the time anyway hehehe.
Before I elaborate further on my personal idea of utopia, and the way things SHOULD be, I want to talk a little bit about a couple of observations. First, I REALLY do not like going to the grocery store and having to say No, I don't want to buy any tamales from the back of some guy's van. While I applaude a person's spirit of enterprise, I will not buy them because A) it's strickly a cash transaction and they pay no taxes on their income, which isn't fair and B) who the hell knows what's in these things. They certainly aren't ANY health inspections going on here. In conclusion, PLEASE do not buy food from people selling from the back of their van, pickup, or trunks.
My second thought of the day involves familes and how white people (of which I am included) don't really take care of family nor do we take advantage of what should be a built-in support system that the family has to offer. I know, or know of, several hispanic families that pool their resources for the overall betterment of the family. Easy enough to do if selfishness is absent, and it seems to me that, at least up to a point, it would be great for the whole family. I'll leave it up to the reader to think about the details
Oh, and just to be fair, I do know one white family in Texas that has this kind of situation. They call it the "Family Business" and conduct meetings, etc. Maybe a lot of families in Texas do it, I don't know. I don't mess with Texas, and they don't mess with me.
In my next blog I'll try to get back to the serious task of explaining my perfect world, and maybe even how we can save the world by eating beans. Oh, wait... maybe it's not beans... hell, I don't remember.
Before I elaborate further on my personal idea of utopia, and the way things SHOULD be, I want to talk a little bit about a couple of observations. First, I REALLY do not like going to the grocery store and having to say No, I don't want to buy any tamales from the back of some guy's van. While I applaude a person's spirit of enterprise, I will not buy them because A) it's strickly a cash transaction and they pay no taxes on their income, which isn't fair and B) who the hell knows what's in these things. They certainly aren't ANY health inspections going on here. In conclusion, PLEASE do not buy food from people selling from the back of their van, pickup, or trunks.
My second thought of the day involves familes and how white people (of which I am included) don't really take care of family nor do we take advantage of what should be a built-in support system that the family has to offer. I know, or know of, several hispanic families that pool their resources for the overall betterment of the family. Easy enough to do if selfishness is absent, and it seems to me that, at least up to a point, it would be great for the whole family. I'll leave it up to the reader to think about the details
Oh, and just to be fair, I do know one white family in Texas that has this kind of situation. They call it the "Family Business" and conduct meetings, etc. Maybe a lot of families in Texas do it, I don't know. I don't mess with Texas, and they don't mess with me.
In my next blog I'll try to get back to the serious task of explaining my perfect world, and maybe even how we can save the world by eating beans. Oh, wait... maybe it's not beans... hell, I don't remember.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
money money Money MONEY
I believe that capitalism is a large part of what's wrong with this land of ours. I believe that if, as a people, we can move beyond lust for the almighty dollar we can become the country that our founding fathers envisioned. A democracy with a social conscience and a goal to improve the lives of ALL of it's citizens could truly be a land of milk and honey.
There is a great deal of talk and political dealing concerning the economy lately. It's almost certain that a recession is on the horizon. News from Washington today about tax rebates and temporary tax relief for business may give some small amount of comfort for a time, but will not be a cure for the financial woes this country faces.
We need to redirect our efforts on the home front on economic matters, how we do business, and WHY we do business. The "why" should be, as I said before, to improve the lives of ALL our citizens. The "how" seems to me to be a lot simpler than most people think, IF we remember the "why".
The United States is said to be the wealthiest in the world, and yet we have approximately 10% of our people living below the poverty level. Current unemployment is about 7% nationwide. With a population of around 300 million, this translates into 30 million poor people and 21 million without a job. With those kinds of numbers is it any wonder why we have a drug problem? A crime problem? A depression problem? How can we tolerate the poverty, crime, etc.? And why should we?
I feel in my heart that many of the country's problems would be cured if we ran it for the benefit of it's citizens instead of for businesses, although the businesses would benefit from it also. Drug use stem from a feeling of hopelessness and/or a desire to escape. This would be greatly reduced if a person has a job, has hope, has the belief that their life is and will continue to get better. Poverty is nothing more than the absence of a job with a comfortable wage.
During the Great Depression of the thirties many public works projects were created as a way to get people working again... and it made for a better country in the process... with happier citizens. We should do this again, on a continuing basis, with a MUCH broader scope and with a goal of eliminating poverty and unemployment in this country. This could and should be paid for with taxes. I'm not talking about the taxes we pay now, that are spread out and pay for little more than the bureaucracy that runs them (kind of like highway toll collections, which pretty much just pay for the salaries of those who collect and maintain the toll systems). Right now we pay a variety of taxes, Federal, State, Local, excise tax, luxury tax, sales tax, use tax, gas tax, energy tax.... the list seems endless.. and this doesn't includes licenses... for your car, business, dog... another endless list. The government should A) calculate how much it would cost to take care of it's citizens basic needs (food, water, clothes, housing, transportation, etc) and then B) design a tax that would cover those costs using a sliding scale. The tax would be high, no doubt about it, but the people would be getting their needs taken care of in a way that NEEDS to be guaranteed to be complete, fair, honest and inclusive of all. (Remember my comment in an earlier blog about an 80% tax?)
The creation of an economical, efficient, ecologically safe automobile... paid for by the government... built by the big three (or more) automakers.... free to each qualified citizen, would create thousands of jobs, reducing unemployment and poverty. A complete redesign and rebuilding of the nations highway system, using the latest technology to blend personal and public transportation to all corners of the country.... with free usage, would create thousands of jobs, reducing unemployment and poverty. Building comfortable, efficient and effective housing for citizens to own.... for free, would create thousands (oh, you get the idea). These are just a few of the hundreds of civil projects that would eventually eliminate poverty, unemployment, possibly drug and gang problems, and have a positive effect on the standard of living in this country.
Think just maybe it's worth a try?
There is a great deal of talk and political dealing concerning the economy lately. It's almost certain that a recession is on the horizon. News from Washington today about tax rebates and temporary tax relief for business may give some small amount of comfort for a time, but will not be a cure for the financial woes this country faces.
We need to redirect our efforts on the home front on economic matters, how we do business, and WHY we do business. The "why" should be, as I said before, to improve the lives of ALL our citizens. The "how" seems to me to be a lot simpler than most people think, IF we remember the "why".
The United States is said to be the wealthiest in the world, and yet we have approximately 10% of our people living below the poverty level. Current unemployment is about 7% nationwide. With a population of around 300 million, this translates into 30 million poor people and 21 million without a job. With those kinds of numbers is it any wonder why we have a drug problem? A crime problem? A depression problem? How can we tolerate the poverty, crime, etc.? And why should we?
I feel in my heart that many of the country's problems would be cured if we ran it for the benefit of it's citizens instead of for businesses, although the businesses would benefit from it also. Drug use stem from a feeling of hopelessness and/or a desire to escape. This would be greatly reduced if a person has a job, has hope, has the belief that their life is and will continue to get better. Poverty is nothing more than the absence of a job with a comfortable wage.
During the Great Depression of the thirties many public works projects were created as a way to get people working again... and it made for a better country in the process... with happier citizens. We should do this again, on a continuing basis, with a MUCH broader scope and with a goal of eliminating poverty and unemployment in this country. This could and should be paid for with taxes. I'm not talking about the taxes we pay now, that are spread out and pay for little more than the bureaucracy that runs them (kind of like highway toll collections, which pretty much just pay for the salaries of those who collect and maintain the toll systems). Right now we pay a variety of taxes, Federal, State, Local, excise tax, luxury tax, sales tax, use tax, gas tax, energy tax.... the list seems endless.. and this doesn't includes licenses... for your car, business, dog... another endless list. The government should A) calculate how much it would cost to take care of it's citizens basic needs (food, water, clothes, housing, transportation, etc) and then B) design a tax that would cover those costs using a sliding scale. The tax would be high, no doubt about it, but the people would be getting their needs taken care of in a way that NEEDS to be guaranteed to be complete, fair, honest and inclusive of all. (Remember my comment in an earlier blog about an 80% tax?)
The creation of an economical, efficient, ecologically safe automobile... paid for by the government... built by the big three (or more) automakers.... free to each qualified citizen, would create thousands of jobs, reducing unemployment and poverty. A complete redesign and rebuilding of the nations highway system, using the latest technology to blend personal and public transportation to all corners of the country.... with free usage, would create thousands of jobs, reducing unemployment and poverty. Building comfortable, efficient and effective housing for citizens to own.... for free, would create thousands (oh, you get the idea). These are just a few of the hundreds of civil projects that would eventually eliminate poverty, unemployment, possibly drug and gang problems, and have a positive effect on the standard of living in this country.
Think just maybe it's worth a try?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
I'd Rather be in Philadelphia
My wife shared the following with me and I thought it would be a good thing to pass along. We men use to have something like this too, it was called Brotherhood... but I think it got lost. Maybe it still lives in Philadelphia (?)
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As
they talked about life, about marriage, about the
responsibilities of life and the obligations of
adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her
glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance
upon her daughter
'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll
be more important as you get older. No matter how
much you love your husband, no matter how much you
love the children you may have, you are still going
to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now
and then; do things with them.'
'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other
women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women
always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman
thought. Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely
my husband and the family we may start will be all I
need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends each
year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,
she gradually came to understand that her Mom really
knew what she was talking about. As time and nature
work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,
Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are
between you. A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on
to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did. Short and very sweet:
There are more than twenty angels in this world.
Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are
playing. And one is reading her email at this
moment.
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day,
drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. As
they talked about life, about marriage, about the
responsibilities of life and the obligations of
adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her
glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance
upon her daughter
'Don't forget your Sisters,' she advised, swirling
the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. 'They'll
be more important as you get older. No matter how
much you love your husband, no matter how much you
love the children you may have, you are still going
to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now
and then; do things with them.'
'Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women...
your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other
women relatives too. 'You'll need other women. Women
always do.'
What a funny piece of advice!' the young woman
thought. Haven't I just gotten married?
Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a
married woman, for goodness sake! A grownup! Surely
my husband and the family we may start will be all I
need to make my life worthwhile!'
But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact
with her Sisters and made more women friends each
year. As the years tumbled by, one after another,
she gradually came to understand that her Mom really
knew what she was talking about. As time and nature
work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman,
Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world,
here is what I've learned:
THIS SAYS IT ALL:
Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.
BUT.........
Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how
many miles are
between you. A girl friend is never farther away
than needing her can reach.
When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you
have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life
will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on,
praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on
your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the
valley's end.
Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk
beside you...Or come in and carry you out.
Girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters,
daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, Mothers,
Grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended
family, all bless our life!
The world wouldn't be the same without women, and
neither would I. When we began this adventure called
womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or
sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we
would need each other.
Every day, we need each other still. Pass this on
to all the women who help make your life meaningful.
I just did. Short and very sweet:
There are more than twenty angels in this world.
Ten are peacefully sleeping on clouds. Nine are
playing. And one is reading her email at this
moment.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Talkin' Trash
About 10 days ago I spoke in my blog about creating a national recycling clearinghouse. I was thinking today that, while the clearinghouse would reduce some trash and save some resources, there is more we could and should do in this area. Living out in the boonies, I don't have trash service. I take a trip to the dump about once a month to dispose of household trash. I do my best to recycle most everything that I can, but it still piles up. Every time I go I see people getting rid of things that can either be repaired or at least recycled, and they DO have an area for recycling. There is an employee working at the dump site, directing traffic and watching that nobody picks anything up to take back home (stupid rule). I believe that people should be REQUIRED to separate their recyclables. Then add one more employee at each site to inspect the loads when they are first weighed in. It wouldn't take long, just a minute or two, and it would seriously reduce the amount of trash going into the landfill. For pick-up service, have the employee check the trash and reject it if it is not separated. Gee, they would have to go back to actually getting out of their trucks. Then again, there use to be TWO workers per truck, and should be again.... wow, this would help the employment situation too!
I do NOT believe that we should have to pay a deposit when we purchase merchandise that is in recyclable containers, feeling that it is just another means for the state to get money for nothing as less than 50% voluntarily return the containers so the unclaimed deposits become state money. RIP-OFF
I do NOT believe that we should have to pay a deposit when we purchase merchandise that is in recyclable containers, feeling that it is just another means for the state to get money for nothing as less than 50% voluntarily return the containers so the unclaimed deposits become state money. RIP-OFF
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Road to Utopia
I can't help but feel that the common person is getting swallowed up in this country. The gap between rich and poor continues to broaden and the middle class is becoming closer and closer to joining the poor. Soon it may just be the haves and have-nots... the service sector and the give me service sector. Not at all the way a country should be run. Oh sure, the politicians (correction.. the Democrats) talk a good game and promise the moon (the Republicans don't give Jack about the people... just business and money). The Democrats hearts may be in the right place but capitalism gets in the way. Capitalism, by it's very natural demands greed... a economic system of gaining wealth by screwing the next guy. Cheat, lie, steal... everybody wants their little slice of the pie... your pie. You can't have some of anybody Else's pie though...Just try asking for a raise and see what happens. Everyone cries when there is talk of increasing taxes because in the current state of things we pay a lot of taxes on just about everything and get pretty much nothing for it... but what if we did? What if we had to pay upwards of 80% in taxes... but got most or all of our basic needs taken care of for it? The remaining 20% would be purely disposable income to improve upon the basics in the areas that you decided. Health care, transportation, housing, utilities, food, employment, clothing.. all taken care of by the higher tax so you don't have to worry about it, and neither would the poor, because their wouldn't be any.
Of course, this can't happen as long as we are still a group of states, counties and cities... each grabbing for that slice of pie... and each with it's own laws, etc.
If we got rid of the separate state's right idea, this country could have uniform laws, schools, hospitals and many other things. We COULD just become a nation.... let's call it AMERICA.
Of course, this can't happen as long as we are still a group of states, counties and cities... each grabbing for that slice of pie... and each with it's own laws, etc.
If we got rid of the separate state's right idea, this country could have uniform laws, schools, hospitals and many other things. We COULD just become a nation.... let's call it AMERICA.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
We Don't Need to Show You no Stinking Badges
I read today that the U.S. Customs Border Patrol is urgently trying to hire more agents in the Southwest, so it seems like a good time to share my views about immigration... and more specifically, ILLEGAL immigration. I don't understand at all why anyone would be in favor of amnesty or fast track citizenship for illegal immigrants. Personally, I don't want someone here who has broken the law the very first second they enter my country. I realize that the welcoming committee is REAL busy, and it takes a long time to become a citizen, but anything worth having takes effort and patience. We already have the system in place to become a citizen and while it may or may not be any good... and I would be all for making it a speedier accomplishment by boosting that departments workforce and streamlining the process, I do believe that there are certain basic requirements necessary. Establishing identity would be a good start to getting a green card. After that, require that they (with the governments help) become gainfully employed (or that a household member supports them) and set up a residence. I feel that it is also important that they learn English within a period of time and take a proficiency test. They have to show that they would be good citizens by being lawful during the probationary period, then they should be granted the privilege of becoming a citizen... and the perks that go with it... but NOT until then.
I believe in strong borders, a strict but reasonable, fair and expedient means of becoming a citizen, and removal of ILLEGAL immigrants. If we can do this, then there will be no reason to do it illegally.
I believe in strong borders, a strict but reasonable, fair and expedient means of becoming a citizen, and removal of ILLEGAL immigrants. If we can do this, then there will be no reason to do it illegally.
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