Draft
George,
Bringing back the draft is like raising taxes to pay for the war. They both would make sense but isn't more fun to go shopping.
judarama, Ortonville, Mi
eduation money
Being a teacher, I do side with you on the fact that schools/teachers need to realize the state of the economy and "suck it up" a bit, and they need to understand their contracts are not going to be as good as in the past until Michigan gets rolling again (thanks proposal A!). However, I have never agreed with the idea to merit pay. In all honesty, it would fantastic with me monetarily - I could teach to the test (and nothing else for the rest of the year), do some test polluting, hover over students as they take the MEAPs, fix grades...anything to ensure those scores/grades are up to get my money. I would never do this, but there are plenty of teachers out there who would. I am not the biggest tenure fan either, but merit pay is definitely not the way to go in my opinion.
joker200006, rochester hills, mi
How close is your wallet to your politics
Was this going to be just a normal Monday when you woke up this morning? No suprise here, it's not.
The second largest bank in the U.S. (Indymacbank) just took a dive, only to be bailed out with more money, indirectly from you. Yes, YOUR money. Yeah, I know that the FDIC is supported by funds from the banks themselves, but you the public don't get off that easy in this whole financial mess. By using them to finance your home purchase you were also involved in their Federal takeover. Like I said, not just a normal Monday morning was it? Sorry to tell you.
Lets review another little tid-bit of politcal news that WILL effect those Federal Reserve Notes in your wallet. What is that Note anyway? an OIU, a promise to PAY a debt? To whom do you pay it? The owner of the Note, right? Whose name is at the top of that Note? Ok, now that we almost understand that let's ask a couple of more though provoking questions.
If that Note is, in essence an IOU, how do you pay it back? With what? Another Federal Reserve Note, right? Is that the one that says right one it's face "This note is legal tendure for all debts, public, and private". Are you starting to get the REAL picture of the trouble we, as a country are in financially?
We all have been buying assets, things of value to us, with REAL debt.
The Federal Reserves' idea of paying off that real debt is with an interest rate which flucuates based on the "economic conditions". But just HOW is the interest rate, accounted for on the Accountants books? By printing more Notes, with only more interest charges, and round and round you go. Enjoy the real ride of debt growth, and a strangled economy. You can't Tax your way to prosperty, you have to GROW your way into it.
The American public this election year had better take "Note" of what is really at stake here.
Taxing the "rich" is only a name calling gesture that WILL remove money from the wallet of Middle Income Americans. The "rich" have protected their assets already. Most Middle Americans haven't got a clue. Oh...to be called "rich".
How about the Social Security tax plan to raise "a Trillion-Dollar tax hike on the middle class", so said one who should know, Hillary Clinton. The Middle Income Americans who don't have a "Tax-Free Income" trust fund, book royalties which were paid into that Tax-Free fund, Tax deferrred retirement accounts, college savings funds, or an adjusted gross income of $4,139,965. Mr. Obama does, why not you Mr. Middle Income American?
Because you're being taxed into a lower standard of living.There IS big money in politics because we are too STUPID to stand up for ourselves, and the fleecing of eachother by these smooth talking, good looking, Eliteist, Egocentristic types we call upon to lead us. It's all because.... they say they "care". Sounds so appealing to the followers.
It's Nonesense!....Where's my wallet?
bullardsheisse
it just HAS to be an italian restaurant right? its not really a question of right or wrong, its a question of tact. this area is so full of acrimonious idiocy its amazing. there are so many thousands of things that this place needs but what do we choose to spend our time on?
and where is "metro detroit". its supposed to be a city on the map where you live, but its not to be found..
how about we all just GROW UP and let the greeks have greektown, be men and admit to not living in the city and take our bs elsewhere.
greeks were the pilots for the french missionairies back in the 15th century. we should go out of our way to honor them and hold them to a high standard. through the years greektown has held its own against the kleptocracy. somebody with a spine please lead.
McCain ad
Judarama writes: Where in the world is Bin Laden? All the lines have been blurred and we continue to fight the phantom boogymen.......
Nothing blurred to me. Bin Laden was offered to your buddy Bill Clinton and he said NO. If Clinton had taken the offer Bin Laden would not have been around to blow up the trade centers.
Navydad, Sterling Heights, MI
Barac and Kerry
George I guess it just hard for you to acknowledge the facts.
Kerry didn't get swiftboated. The Swift Boat Veterans that served with him just exposed the many misstatements made by Mr. Kerry. To this day his still hasn't been able to repudiate these facts. To this day even though he stated many times he would authorize the release of his military records he still hasn't done this.
As for Obama he is just like Mr. Kerry. Misstatements after misstatement. First it was hi Grandmother, then the Reverend, then the 60's terrorist, and now how he was for the welfare reform. Just never seems to wash with the facts.
No matter though it doesn't matter to George. One empty suit in 2004 and another in 2008 is being treated unfairly. The only thing he is decisive about is that you aren't allowed to question him on the issues.
The Dems in the land of Oz
It looks so familiar to us who remember the movie "The Wizzard of Oz". That long veiled curtian behind which the all powerful Oz cretes DECEPTION, just like the State Democratic Party of today. It's just like the Dems to play that old race card again, saying that they are more worried about loosing African-American representatives in the legislature. Do these same Democrats say anything about solving the problem the state has regardless of the color of the skin? No they just complain about it, typical Democrats. But this time it's different, it's behind an Oz like curtain. Change cannot happen at the "grassroots" level, if the grassroots DON'T KNOW about it! Changes discussed on a phone call, by Democrats only, doesn't ammount to "grassroot" changes at all. It is the Democratic Party leadership doing more backroom deals. The real threat here is that the State Constitution changes they may propose, behind the curtian of Oz, would have NO approval by the "grassroots" people of this state. It is the politics of "change we can believe in". Believe in us, and don't dare question OUR decisions those Democrats are saying to the "grassroots". The proposal of changing the number of Supreme Court Judges is just another way of allowing a rewrite the Constitution. This by way of a judical power grab behind the publics back. It is the wizzards way of HIJACKING the Constitutional process from the people for their OWN needs, and making themselves feel that we like "change". I say NOT this time, NOT this way. Leave my Constitution alone.
City of bums
Mr. B.,
Incompetence is a trait common in government officials and the bureaucrats who serve them. it is common in the private sector also, just a part of the game.
Corruption is less prevalent, but not all that uncommon. When people have a lot to hand out in contracts and program funds, it should come as no surprise that more than a couple will dip their beaks. Nothing surprising here either. The corrupt can be very efficient.
What Detroit has is the worst of both worlds; The corrupt incompetent. They cannot deliver when they are bribed. Bad, bad news.
Brian Reilly
Obama will lost
I don't trust Obama. The talker. When a person is good at talking, he is only a salesman, not an idealist. He is only an activist, not a doer.
I have not heard Mr. Obama in any of these speeches where he believes in the equality of United American, but he only talks about so-called "change".
What change does he refer to? From White to Black? I have not heard anything about any of the American values which stand for honor, equality and respect to all.
He is misleading on all of the facts about American foreign policy. The truth is the start of the war was against American values by Moslem extremists. If we are not going to the heart of Islam nation, how can we fight the war against Islam extremists?
American value, honor, freedom, respect for the individual and our country's law on equality for all human rights has lead the world to much more freedom from dictators and safe from extremists for the past 50 years. I am very proud of my country.
As an Asian American and a naturalized citizen, I know when the speaker speaks the way like Obama is only manipulating the truth and his only objective is to become President. He will then work for the black values that are more racist than any other race in America. This has been demonstrated throughout America, and it will further divide America as a nation for all peoples. I believe he will position similar values on American foreign policy that will endanger Americans throughout the world, as well as at home.
I love my adopted country and I cannot believe what Obama wife's comment on "I finally love being an American". My God, if that is how she feels about America, she should go to China or another country to live and she will know what it means to be an American. I want to ask every one of my fellow Americans to take a good look at Mr. Obama. How can we trust he's change? Recently he trying to conducted fun races in Shanghais, China. I wander how much money he's already gets from the red China r?gime? (The world most corrupted dictator regime) No way I will not vote for Obama.
LoveAmerican, San Jose, CA
Obama knows he has some work to do in this area.
He recently gave a speech on patriotism.
--Bullard
Here's the video:
Historians predict Obama win?
Dear Mr. Bullard,
Isn't there a problem with that premise? Historians chronicle history. Fortune tellers predict the future.
The fortune tellers I read are saying close race, same result as last time, win in the R column. Obama may even get a majority of the popular vote, but he can't get the electoral votes. Thus, a muddled picture.
Besides, do any of us really trust touch screen, computerized, no paper trail, voting booths?
My prediction is the next president has already been picked and what you or I or the rest of us say doesn't count.
Norm C..., Waterford, MI
I'm with you on voting machines. Having a vote without a paper trail is nut.
Any kid hacker can hijack a computer program. And don't tell me electronic voting booths are secure. Even the Microsoft headquarters computers were once hacked.
Michigan uses a decent system. Mark a paper ballot, which is then counted electronically.
--Bullard
Do you believe in a secure border..Mr. Obama?
Does America really know that we are fighting a TWO front war? How's that you might ask, I thought the only War we are fighting is with Iraq & Afghanistan. It's NOT. We are also fighting to keep our borders in the Southwest, the second front. Weekly our police forces are being overwhelmed by the violence that walks into the U.S. from the Mexican border towns. They're called Mexican Nationals in Mexico, in the U.S. they're called ILLEGALS. It is a War, a border War, with a third world country where payoffs, and corruption is rampant! But Mexico is now sending it's ARMY into the U.S. to battle on U.S. soil! Proof is the case that just happened in Maryvale Arizona Sunday June 23, 2008. The original Police report stated it as a home invasion with gunfire, but that WAS NOT the case. It was the Mexican Army, 8 members in total against a homeowner. They "raked windows, breached doors and laid suppression fire as they made entry into the house". They were "dressed in black boots, black BDU's, Phoenix Police Raid shirts, and they were armed with handguns, AR-15's with aimpoint sights, Body armor, ballistic helmets and high holsters". They came into the U.S. with full tactical gear and police raid shirts to conduct home invasions. The Mexican Army. Between 50-100 bullets were fired, the home owner killed. The reports stated that if they had more ammo the Phoenix Police called to the scene would have been ambushed. How did they get here? A sorry excuse for a border. We have to thank those in Public office who haven't got the gonads to stand up for this Nation, its morals, its language, or its borders. If you don't believe it...go to KFYI.com for the 3 Police reports to read. Even now the Phoenix Police Department is "revising" it's story so as not to point the finger of blame at the Democratic Party's city leadership. The homeowners name is not being released. So where are you now Mr. Obama, sitting on the fence waiting for the wind to blow? At least one candidate hasn't changed his stance about our borders.
Yeah, a country that can't control its borders is asking for trouble.
The American Indians, for example, had a lousy immigration policy and lost their land.
--B.
Going Green is Good for Government, but not much else.
We've all seen it, the hoopla about those compact bulbs and their Mercury problems. Yet the EPA is the one to call if you break one of these "green" bulbs. Oh yeah, the EPA in your bedroom, den, living rooms, your "protected" home. Why do I say "protected", well aren't they just trying to protect you...from you? The Government is looking out for you, don't YOU know. Your decision to use the good old Edison Bulbs, instead of those made in China, has been taken away from you, and more Government is comming your way. The Carbon Credit way. As pointed out in an article by James Kanter in the New York Times, the U.S. is moving toward taking action on Global Warming. So says BOTH Presidential canidates, for they favor the Kyoto Protocol. But let's look at the situation in the European Union with regard to the question IF the system will ever work. It hasn't, "Carbon Dioxide emmissions are still rising in many industries, not falling". Why is that? Because the whole system is a sham. They were only after a "change in behavior", not actually doing anything helpful for you, me, or this "environment". It's about controlling BEHAVIOR. The problem in Europe was that "governments allocated too many trading permits" and that led to a near-market failure after the value of premits fell by half. That sounds more like Capitalist supply & demand at work rather than a Government dictate. Since the carbon credit model was NOT working, they "promised changes". Does that sound familiar in this election year? It will be our problem IF these Carbon Controls are allowed on our American business, namely taking company profits away so that the Government can spend, and spend. The result WILL be a further slowdown in our economy, and less job creation by those businesses who desire marketplace expansion. So who benefits by all this? China & India who have seen double digit economic growth, and high inflation rates that they cannot sustain without huge ramifications to its citizens. Yet politicians like Mr. Obama who supports reductions of carbon emissions by 80% BELOW 1990 levels, by 2050. McCain favors giving Government permits away to reduce emissions to 60% below the same 1990 levels, by 2050. The end result for American business IS slower growth, fewer employeed, higher taxes to make up for the "shortfall" of taxes, and a ruined capitalist economy that is "change you can beleive in"....I say let's just let Mother Nature handle it, NOT Governments. After all, why should we believe a Government who continues to "give" it's citizens the spoils of tax money that is redistributed to those who haven't earned it. That is Socialist in meaning, and purpose. So why don't we just let Mother Nature handle it? (after all any warming has always has been based on light from our nearest star the Sun).....The answer is, she CAN'T Vote!
Overall, there' something fundamentally wrong with relying on government for everyday problems, like broken light bulbs. One has to ask: Why the hell does the federal government care in the first place.
It's the political class. The more they find to do, the better their job security.
Why we let them get away with it is beyond me.
But then most people don't vote most of the time.
We deserve the lousy governments we have.
--Bullard
Yes, Russert was good, but...
I agree George, Russert was good, no superstar journalist, but it was a tragedy that he died at a relatively early age. Here's the jumbled thought that came to my mind this a.m. God called Tim Russert in last week to give his analysis of the world scene and after listening for awhile God called George Carlin in yesterday to cheer himself up. All right, not much on the punch line but that's why I'm down here and Carlin, Benny and Burns are up there!
...and Benny Hill, too.
Your post reminded me of the Will Roger quote: "There is no credit to being a comedian, when you have the whole Government working for you. All you have to do is report the facts. I don't even have to exaggerate."
--B.
Schools
I must be getting more conservative with age--I actually agree with Bullard--the students are only parrots of complaints by others,including teachers who want more of everything--they also want degrees and jobs with out the sacrifice and hardwork--they have seen the left wing generation do nothing and come up with everything--this instant generation wants everything now--I for one, want them to be accountable students and young adults first!
Sometimes conservatives and liberal meet the same spot.
For example, I'm with the ACLU on protecting the Bill of Rights.
And as it turns out, Bush is no conservative.
Go figure.
--Bullard
DIY HISTORIANS
The American Historical Society has passed a resolution that US Government(AKA Bush Administration) Practices has violated the right to open inquiry in pursuit of historical knowledge.They cite all the tired complaints of the lefties. This resolution was published after mailed-in ballots were counted- 75% for the resolution, 25% against. After all this hoohaw about preserving democracy- it turns out that the vote count represented only 15% of their membership. So it's no surprise that a few of their number is all it took to say that Mc Cain will lose and Obama will win. Lefties like to make their own DIY history.
Hills Bill, Rochester Hills, MI
Yeah, history does get skewed by those who write it.
--B.
