Shame on YOU Government

• Shame on Wall Street for getting us into this mess - Greed runs all
• Shame on us for not spending wisely
• Shame on Congress for politicizing this to make sure they get their guy into office
• Shame on the President ... they knew this was coming ...
• Shame on creditors that KNEW they would create this mess but did it to line their own pockets...

The thing that makes this WORST OF ALL is our government heads and two-party dominant system that would rather see our entire economy fail and chaos and shambles if it means they can get their guy in office.

Check this out... Want to REALLY fix the economy?

1. Let these banks fail, and criminally procesute the people that got them into this mess, don't give them a DIME for creating this
2. If there is a bail-out, let it be to buy back CONSUMER debt and wipe the slate clean.
3. Set a 10k limit on ANY credit card for a person, and require them to pay at least 10% of the balance every month - keep us OUT of significant debt
4. With more money in our pockets and not paying these banks, we will spend, spend, spend and grow the economy from the inside out

This is ridiculous... and we should fire everyone in congress... every last hand-wringing, scheming, partisan fool out there, and start over...

Any person that desires to hold office should by no means be allowed to take it, and I think we should go back to the Roman Senate practice: You PAY for your seat at the Senate...

Never forget that governments serve because the people allow them to serve....

End to a LOOONGG Week, and a question as to who REALLY holds the power in the US Government?

OK, I know it is only Thursday, but to me the week is already over. THAW and I started out Monday after a long holiday weekend (July 4th) by going to the Dave Matthews concert on Monday in Atlanta. After quite a long night, I had to get up early in the morning, tired and slightly hung-over, and catch a plane to Washington DC, leaving wifey to unfortunately have drive home by herself.

So, get to DC, and meet up with the guys from work. Well, we decide to go to a top notch DC steakhouse, and I can't even think about drinking more alcohol, so I opt for tea and water. Too MUCH tea and water and I end up wide awake until too late in the night! Caffeine..

Oh, and on top of that, my company and another are in a bit of a tizzy, and I'm stuck in the middle since I work for one (duh), and I'm good friends with the owner of another. Of course both of them call me continuously to get pissed off and yell at me, when I made it clear I would have NO part in that decision as I have a conflict of interest.

About to sit down to dinner, and after the 18th call from my friend, I decide I can't put it off so I answer with, "Bob (we'll call him Bob), I am about to sit down to dinner with colleagues, I have 30 seconds." 23.8776 minutes later, he is still ranting and raving, and I finally gather up the intestinal fortitude (despite being EMPTY), and tell him to piss off, I have to eat. Get back to one of the best steaks I ever had, and on top of that someone else picked up the tab! Thank goodness.

The next day, we spend all day in meeting on capitol hill. What a great experience that can be, walking underneath the bowels of the US capitol from meeting to meeting, taking the crazy trains under the US capitol, getting quizzed by endless security guards (we WERE in suit and ties, I can understand why they were suspicious), and talking to senate staffers, house staffers, senators, congressman, cleaning staff, the list goes on.

It strikes me at that very moment between one of the Senate buildings and House office buildings, walking through all of the support halls in the capital (where the food, post office, business offices, coffee services, etc are constantly buzzing like angry Africanized bees): Where is the REAL power in the US government?

Right there, my friends. Think about it... If they wanted to cause major problems, they could make it impossible for anything at all to get done (not like much happens anyway sometimes!) The could mess with the air conditioning, spike the food, forget ice in glasses, stop up the bathrooms, trip over TV cables, and all sort of general mayhem. When congress was working on something they likes, they could serve their favorite dishes, make the coffee just a bit better, pump more 02 into the rooms to make them happier, and perhaps even offer them foot massages....

My friends, that is real power, and it is not the suits we see constantly wrangling on C-SPAN

Supreme Court Strikes Down Gun Ban in DC

Well, what do you know? Apparently sane minds have prevailed and remembers that the job of a judge is to adjudicate the law, not make it. In what is sure to be a historic ruling, despite being a 5-4 split, the Supreme Court has ruled that the Washington DC gun ban is unconstitutional: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,372041,00.html

While I AM a gun advocate, having been raised as a responsible gun owner from a VERY early age (I still VIVIDLY remember my father taking me outside to the garage with a toy pop-gun and threatening to saw it into little pieces if I ever pointed it at anyone or anything alive again, stuck with me 30+ years now), I do support better legislation for responsible firearms ownership. I do not believe that the government should restrict the rights to own firearms, except in the case of criminals or those with significant mental issues. I do think that requiring training and demonstration of skills is a good idea. Waiting periods, restricting ammunition types, firing rates, etc... all of these are pointless and useless. They will not deter crime. Training, however, at least helps reduce accidents, also helps people understand when and why firearms should be used, and to keep them from doing something stupid (shooting themselves, an innocent, or having the gun snatched from them and used against them if it doesn't work).

The point that gun opponents don't seem to get: Pacifism does not breed peace. Criminals do not buy guns, and criminals love people that don't have guns. Why is it that nearly every major evil regime in the 20th century until now has started with a concerted effort to DISARM the people? Governments serve at the pleasure of its people, and they know that. Take away their ability to denounce, and absolute power corrupts absolutely, every time.

Gun control does not work. Period. Sure, you can show me all kinds of statistics to justify your opinion 50 times by this evening. I am sure I can also find some expert somewhere in the world that has spent their life's work to produce research and statistics on why child molestation is perfect acceptable as well. I can not remember the source, but the quote goes, that statisticians use statistics like drunks use lightposts. Both use them for support, and neither for illumination.

All the numbers in the world do not dispute facts. Gun control has NEVER reduced crime, in fact it has in nearly every case allowed it to flourish. Guns will be in the hands of criminals any time, any place. Law enforcement can not be everywhere at once, and it there is a chance it may be up to you to defend yourself, or more importantly your family.

Thanks to the Supreme Court, there is at least some measure of validation of this point. I am all for firearms training, and wouldn't even mind required training before someone gets a firearm (like most states require hunter's safety courses before giving hunting licenses), and especially I want someone to have training before they are allowed to conceal carry.

While there are exceptions and many irresponsible gun owners, you should be happy people like me and my family are around... we help keep irresponsible gun owners and criminals in check. No, I am not a cop, nor do I wish to pretend to be one, or act like one, or anything else. But, I have a beautiful wife, two amazing girls, and a fantastic son. There are far too many people in this world that just simply do not care enough about human life. To deny that is to deny that you need air to survive. No matter how nice you are, some people in life just plain suck.

You will not see me, or anyone in my family, brandishing a firearm, using it to help influence an argument, prove a point, etc. I was put into an uncomfortable position one night when an unruly gentleman confronted my wife when we were out. Unfortunately it resulted in the first physical altercation I've had in over 10 years. I had a gun on me at that time, and there was absolutely no motivation to even try to pull it, the situation did not demand that use of force. That is called measured, cool, and reasonable response to a situation. People need to be trained, need to think through their responses, and be prepared to DEFEND only if necessary.

Smoke and Politics

Ok, not what readers might be thinking... I fired up the 'ol smoker today.. Actually its a new smoker. I was using a vertical smoker run on propane, and I finally decided to graduate to a charcoal and wood style. I picked up a Chargriller with a side firebox recently, and I must say, I'm impressed! Its a lot more work, but well worth it at the end of the night when we ate. Overcooked the ribs a bit, but I'll remember not to place them on that spot of the smoker again. Otherwise, great fun!

Started about 8 this morning with a pork butt. I used some Kingston charcoal to get a good fire going, then added in natural wood lump charcoal and hickory chunks. I think I would like to use hickory logs next time, they'll last longer and won't require me checking on them every few minutes.

Added a chicken and ribs around noon. Everything came off the smoker at 4:30, and it was delicious!

I used that vinegar sauce from an earlier post for a marinade and mop, as well as a bit of it over all the meat once I pulled it (oh yes.. it fell apart when touched with the fork). Then, I came up with a variant on the Coke BBQ Sauce - I'll call it my "Ass-Kicken Coke BBQ Sauce." Check it out:

Ass-Kicken Coke BBQ Sauce

¼ cup of coca cola
10 oz of tomato paste
1/3 cup of ketchup
2 cups water
1 cup brown sugar – packed
1/3 cup of lemon juice
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 Tbsp onion powder
2 tsp of minced garlic
1 tsp allspice
2 tsp cajun spice
1/2 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp coarse ground black pepper
1/2 tsp liquid smoke or bacon drippings
2 tsp crushed red pepper, or more if you are brave
¼ tsp powdered ginger

Bring to boil, then simmer 1 hours, allow to cool. You can experiment with more lemon juice, pineaple juice, a bit more brown sugar (makes it thicker in its final state), or add some more red pepper. A bit of cayenne pepper might really turn things up for ya :)

So, why "Smoke and Politics?" I had plenty of time to think on some earlier posts, and more things today regarding the upcoming election. I don't know about you all, but I am already sick of it. Every day polls come out that tie the candidates, give one a huge edge, another gives someone else and edge, every question imaginable is asked to the point of annoyance, ack! Sick of it already.

That said, this is an important election. I am not that happy about any of the candidates at the moment, but I certainly know I will not vote for Obama. Definitely not a fan boy, I think we don't KNOW who he is yet. His voting record is very liberal, his rhetoric appeals to emotion quite well (a classic fallacy in logic), but we still haven't really heard him say anything. I hope the man actually develops a message rather than trying to inspire "hope." Hope in what? I have NO idea at this point.

As for McCain, I at LEAST think he would be a good commander in chief. His voting record is a little sketchy, but as a former soldier I appreciate the hell out of a commander in chief that understands what it means to fight and die for your country, and doesn't make that decision lightly. I also think McCain has proven himself to be a formidable statesman, and he seems to be well respected around the world. At this point, he has my vote. But, things can, and do, change...

While in many ways I am sure I have made my decision, I would at least like to think I have given a fair weight to both candidates once its time to write an X on the line for one or the others. Oh, stay the hell out of the race you vote stealing independents, third parties, and "altruistic" glory seekers. This election ought to be about a solid and CLEAR choice of a leader. Spoilers in the last several elections have made it REALLY tough for a candidate to truly call a mandate from the American people. Get stuffed, find another venue for your message. Yes, I'm talking to you, Nader, Bloomberg, possibly Hillary, Perot, and whomever else is thinking about it. Not time for you to make a stage here, wait until the next election and run an actual campaign! We don't need an independent candidate!

Hey LIBERALS! Read THIS!!

OK... I woke up today and found my soap box conveniently stored under the bed for me. So, I got out, ran around the block five times, pushed the block back under the bed, and picked up my soapbox to face the day.

I was listening to some radio program yesterday talking about Obama's tax plans. There is this constant criticism of "the rich" and a socialist idea of "redistributing wealth." I don't care WHAT they call it, but if they look to increase taxes on those that have money, and have worked hard to get it, t only to give to those that supposedly "can not work," then that is.... ladies and gentlemen, socialism Of course that is only a bad thing to you if you don't like socialism. Never mind that it has NEVER worked in any regime so far. If you tax those that do well, making it harder for them to make money, they lose motivation to do so... but on to my next point.

This whole notion of tax breaks for corporations being, "evil." Wake the collective fuck up America. Businesses employ people. Successful businesses employ MORE people. MORE people employed means MORE people that can work, MORE wealth for all of us, and economic prosperity available to all. As the leader of a corporation, your ONLY job is to increase shareholder value. Companies do business where it is CHEAP to do business to maximize profits. Why are we sending more jobs to India, China, etc? Because its CHEAPER to do business there, because a bunch of bleeding heart whiny liberal idiots here have a notion that everyone by birthright should be in a fancy home, fat and happy with all the food they can eat, free medical care, and a high quality of life, all for doing nothing if they so choose to do so. Who pays for this? We do, the taxpayer. Taxpayers that have to pay more taxes have to make more money to maintain the standard of living to which they have EARNED. If they have to make more money, they have to work jobs that pay more, and if companies don't have to pay them more, they send those jobs overseas where it is cheaper, and then these people are out of a job, and the worthless deadbeats living off the fat of the land have less fat to live on.

Now, I am NOT insensitive. There are people that legitimately can NOT work. There are people that need help, and they should be encouraged to get it. I do not mind in the least helping out with this section of the society. But, don't make it so that too many people qualify. I read the other day that we are quickly hitting the point where more people than not are collecting government benefits. A matter of simple economics, pay out more money than you put in, you will go broke. Simple.

The next argument I am sure some are chomping to use: Big business is bad for the little guy. Well, this is the land of opportunity. The little guy or small business is only constrained by their own imagination and market choice.

If you choose to be a florist with 20 major florists in town and you have no differentiators, you are shot from the beginning. If you choose to go into left-handed-underwater-basket weaving, you are stupid to have gotten into that business. But, if you have a drive to be successful and be the best at what you can be, the big business BUY your brands and market position, and make you even more wealthy, you can then start a new business, hire more people, more people make more money, and everyone contributes to the greater good. Greater good is often used as a tenet of the socialist systems, but that is not possible if you are paying out more than you are taking in. Do the simple math. Right wing or left wing can not deny the laws of physics and the absolutes of earning and paying out money.

Yes, I agree.. sometimes commercialization looks rough, but keep in mind that the court of public opinion and market economics drives what companies should do. If their research says, "small-home-town-shops are the thing," then THAT is what they will build. The reason people go to chain stores... they save money, and they are easy. If I can get in, get out, and save a few $$, then I have more time w/ my family and more money in my pocket.

So, wake up, America. This idea of increasing taxes on the "wealthy" and the idea that we should get rid of tax cuts for big corporations... this is a terrible idea and an absolute death knell to a shaky economy. We should be motivating people to MAKE money right now, and making it easier and cheaper for businesses to DO business. That in turn creates more jobs, higher wages, and greater prosperity.

If some idiot in Congress or our executive branch is able to get through this "windfall profits" tax, or to establish "reasonable profits" for corporations... hold onto your hats. These are the greatest flops of a past administration (Carter, 1976-1980, who I respect as a statesman, but executive policy wasn't all that hot). If you make it MORE expensive for companies to do business here, they can not meet their bottom line objective, increase shareholder value. They will NOT sell oil and do business here in the US until we are paying $12/gallon.

Then, all the bleeding heart liberals and socialists can cry foul all the way to the unemployment line.

Wake up...